New Homes: New Problems – Communal Heating Systems

I am always sad when green energy systems don’t work and cause more problems than they solve. We have a climate emergency, and we need to try new things. But they need to work.

Communal heating and hot water systems promise a lot for apartments. No need for every flat in the block to have a polluting gas boiler or expensive electric heating. Great energy efficiency – particularly in blocks of flats.

Unfortunately, too often they don’t work properly. Problems arise as a result of construction and design. First, because of general construction carelessness. Second, there are also more endemic problems involving the green energy system being used for greenwashing. These might include the system being done on the cheap, possibly using under-specified equipment or by a developer/builder not understanding the system sufficiently.

Finally, communal heating systems are complex and need regular maintenance. This coupled with a poor design or low-specification equipment means problems occur. My colleague Eleanor Solomon previously wrote about some of the specific issues with heating systems.

If you have serious problems with your property or its communal heating and hot water system, then we can help.

Leaseholders will have rights under their leases to get communal heating and hot water systems fixed. Builders and developers owe responsibilities to homeowners under the Defective Premises Act and may have other obligations under the sale contract. Even if your home was built much more than 6 years ago you may still have a case.

You may also have new build insurance (e.g., NHBC, Ark, LABC etc). You may still be able to claim, even though you did not report to the insurers inside the time limits.

Cases involving these issues are complex and you do need to go to specialists who have experience and understand the problems.

My name is Timothy Waitt and I specialise in advising on repair issues facing residents –from leaks, damp, and problems with communal heating systems to major structural issues with newly built houses and blocks of flats.