Snags in new-build flat - how to get them fixed?

[MajorMajor]

Hi
I have a friend who bought a new-build flat from a well-known developer about 3 months ago. When she moved in there were various snags, eg leaky taps, radiators with no knobs etc. She raised them all with the developer and has spoken to 'customer services' on the phone various times but no luck in getting them fixed.

She wants to write a letter of complaint and has asked for my help as she's Romanian and her English isn't brilliant. Anyone have any hints on what to put in it? Or any general help on how to get the developer to fix the snags?

Thanks for your help.

Developers are notorious for not doing the snagging which makes my blood boil as new-builds should be perfect - that's what you're paying for. She should write to the head of customer service (get a name rather than a job title) and, if she gets no joy from him/her, write again cc'ing to the managing director etc. She should explain very concisely what needs doing, preferably in bullet points

1. leaky tap in bathroom
2. radiator cap missing in landing
3. xxx

and give a time-frame - eg. 4 weeks from date of letter - to be resolved.

If she still gets no satisfactory response, the new builds are covered by NHBC warranty but I'm a bit about how much use this is - generally the problems have to be quite serious but, for the cost of a stamp, it's worth writing to them and seeing what they have to say.

Finally, if they still do nothing and she has to spend money getting the problem sorted, I would suggest taking the developer to the small claims court in order to retrieve the sum spent.

lalalonglegs - thanks for the info, that's very useful.

Forgot to say, if she is in a development that is still being built, might be worth cornering the site foreman and getting him to send one of the crew over to sort things out.

you can get a company in to do a full inspection and deal with all the chasing afterwards. google new home snag list and you'll get a few coming up. pricey but worth it. very normal to find 150+ snags.

thanks