Going to court not very pleasant

[Qwerty]

Anyone know how long you have to guarantee work for...?

No specified period as such, but usually only a year due to parts guarantees etc. Alot of the time in small claims cases it will be what life can reasonably be expected from the work.

 

[LM]

As far as I'm aware the minimum legal requirement is 12 months

 

[One Day]

Liability for Defects in Construction Contracts.pdf

Pretty sure that under sales of goods and service act (applies to this case as it's not commercial) it's expected that a "reasonable time" is 7yrs.
There is a fair process the customer must go to before taking it legal and so far (it seems) they haven't given written warnings and a written deadline by which things must be put right.
So if that is the case here, I'd say the threat is pointless.

Still, I wonder though - why threaten legal action without asking for something to prevent the action?
If the client really is stupid enough to think it will work....
actually, forget that - you said Civil servant and something about MPs...probably very much stupid enough in that case!

 

[LM]

It's a tricky one, the NHBC only offer two years unless its structural.

 

[One Day]

We need to see the content of the letter to offer anything worthwhile.
Until OP posts it, it's a wasted discussion IMO.
(I suspect something more is going on...)

 

[Balloo]

We need to see the content of the letter to offer anything worthwhile.
Until OP posts it, it's a wasted discussion IMO.
(I suspect something more is going on...)

I'll post the letter tomorrow I don't have it at hand

 

[Balloo]

Thanks everyone for the information and opinions

 

[One Day]

I'll post the letter tomorrow I don't have it at hand

Just don't include any personal info or it will get deleted!

 

[Qwerty]

@Balloo ...... if you like you can PM it or email it to me and I will sanitise it

 

[Andy Allen]

Sanitise it... Lol

 

[Andy Allen]

Pretty sure that under sales of goods and service act (applies to this case as it's not commercial) it's expected that a "reasonable time" is 7yrs.
There is a fair process the customer must go to before taking it legal and so far (it seems) they haven't given written warnings and a written deadline by which things must be put right.
So if that is the case here, I'd say the threat is pointless.

Still, I wonder though - why threaten legal action without asking for something to prevent the action?
If the client really is stupid enough to think it will work....
actually, forget that - you said Civil servant and something about MPs...probably very much stupid enough in that case!

7 years seems a long time...
You will have all the 'my grouts discoloured' crowd ringing up demanding re- grouts...

 

[One Day]

7 years seems a long time...
You will have all the 'my grouts discoloured' crowd ring up demanding re- grouts...

I'm pretty certain I read it on CAB site. It'll be for major stuff though. Tiles dropping off walls, etc

 

[Bill]

I'm pretty certain I read it on CAB site. It'll be for major stuff though. Tiles dropping off walls, etc

grouts discolouring will be considered wear and tear.

 

[One Day]

grouts discolouring will be considered wear and tear.

I fully agree Tom.