Linden Homes Northern Home Counties estate agents in Cranfield and Stotfold

★★★★★ 2/5

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Linden Homes

Firstly, we have numerous snags (to be expected) with different severity levels however this included things such as no durgo valve on the waste, which is just sheer incompetence. It took around 3 months to get all of the snags fixed including replacing loft hatch, back door being fixed 3 times, flush on one of the toilets looked at 4 times, front door had to be hung again, slabs repaired in garden, missing kitchen items. As for the 'landscaping' they did with the front garden, all flowers died within 3 days of moving in as they were not planted correctly. We had to wait over 6 weeks to even be able to order broadband and have been back and forth with British Gas re gas and electric ever since, I get the feeling we were moved in slightly ahead of schedule.As they are still building, there is a lot of site traffic down our access road to the cul de sac (expected, isn't an issue) however we have ongoing issues with our road currently having 5 different levels, a pot hole developing and constantly full of nails/mud from JCB's etc. Currently chasing customer services, to no avail! Just waiting for the day I severely damage car/tyres.Feel there could have been better communication from the start from sales team and site manager, with a bit of honesty re the house, road, site etc as feel we were chucked in way ahead of schedule to meet sales targets.I would recommend keeping on top of them with any snags - email, phone, hassle any way you can as once your snagging time period is over, you're passed over to somebody in Head Office who is constantly out of the office and doesn't reply to calls or emails.

DV2021 · 5 November 2019 · Linden Homes Northern Home Counties Cranfield

★★★★★ 1/5

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Update on my uninhabitable & blighted house (4 years of living hell)

Message to Caveat Emptor - I've shared your very shocking but very honest review on Twitter. Please read my reviews on here too.... almost 4 years I've been unable to even live in my Linden Home. The house is Uninhabitable / Defective / Blighted due to contamination. Linden's Commercial Director forced me out on 19/01/2016 - as at today's date that's 3 YEARS 9 MONTHS and 2 WEEKS ago - and never to return. It's cost me more than £56,000 (to date 01/10/19) in mortgage payments for a house NOT FIT FOR PURPOSE. Linden served me Eviction papers from the first rental effectively throwing me out onto the streets as I have it in the SAR that they had taken "possession" of my house and taken my house "back". They changed the locks to MY house in April 2016 and walked away with the keys to MY house in August 2016 with their lawyer stating "our client was only [fixing] it as a gesture of goodwill and they are no longer prepared to". I moved rentals then NHBC also stopped reimbursing the rent so Eviction papers again. I've moved around like a vagabond for 4 years, living in 4 different hotels (Linden threatened to stop reimbursing the hotel bill 3 times then acted on those threats - my credit card bill rose to £11,000 so I was forced to move out of the hotel into a cheaper pub room until NHBC put pressure on Linden to pay hotel so after a week in a pub room, I moved again, back into the hotel).Yet then NHBC did exactly the same, cut off funding my alternative accommodation in April 2018.I was forced to move to a 3rd rental and it's cost me (to date) nearly £19,000 in rental payments on top of my mortgage. Linden Homes and the NHBC caused me to have a nervous breakdown in February 2016 and I've never been well enough to return to work. My loss of earnings is massive. The bullying, threats and lies I've received not only from Linden and NHBC but their respective lawyers (Gateley and Dentons) has been and still is horrific cruelty. To anyone reviewing Linden after a short time is very naive.I've also been taken to court twice for non payment of council tax on my uninhabitable house when I'm paying council tax on my alternative rental accommodation. I was slapped with two Liability Orders and have had to sell off personal possessions to chip away at the arrears. Linden Homes and the NHBC are LIFE WRECKERS.The CEOs sit in their ivory towers and don't care about ruining the lives of their paying customers. Read the Trustpilot reviews on NHBC too. As if all that isn't bad enough I've lost my overseas holiday home/ retirement property because I could no longer afford the mortgage because that money is being used to fund rental properties to live in in the UK whilst my Linden new build sits empty but still costs me a mortgage every month. Both are abhorrent companies with no moral compass.This is the real truth of buying a so called "dream home" from Linden Homes not these highly suspicious 5* reviews. If anyone wants to contact me you will find me on Twitter at Yvette86129589

Yvette · 1 November 2019 · Linden Homes Northern Home Counties Cranfield

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

How bad can Linden Homes be! Well an update to the previous thread…

Well an update to the previous thread of ‘LINDEN HOMES A VERY SORRY TALE...........’Well yes they may construct a good house somewhere, sometimes, but the reviews on this site clearly show otherwise.Those that actually write good reviews within weeks, or a few months of moving in, are a little niave to say the least, but each to their own.After 6 years of hell and no contact from Linden for over 4 years this is the end result!Well just to update this thread, 6 years to the day of buying this property the NHBC finally issued a Certificate of Repair, on all the works carried out. The total costs are well over £300,000.00 not to mention our financial burden to get it put right.We have had no contact from Linden Homes since 2015. They just ignore emails, and never reply.Galliford Try who own Linden have a new CEO so I thought I would write to him about our plight, include all the lying emails and deceptive practices as evidenced in the Subject Access Request, as well as the paragraph in their handbook they give to all new home owners...........It clearly states'Moving In and Enjoying My New Linden Home (sic)Page 10 - 'FOR EXTRA REASSURANCE’“ Essentially this means you could be entitled to compensation, if we encounter problems finishing your home, and any issues once you have moved in, that are our fault will be put right. We know this is the worst case scenario, but it gives everyone peace of mind just in case something does go wrong ”We asked for compensation as documented in the booklet, where they clearly you got things very, very wrong. Things that were clearly their fault. Even to the point of signing off faults identified by the Building Inspector, as corrected, that never where.The response in short was tough luck, the NHBC repaired your property, so there is no come back on us. It is not our fault we bought a new property in good faith, allegedly constructed to a set standard, and inspected throughout its construction by the NHBC. Is not out fault that Linden Homes signed off faults that were never corrected, and its not our fault it was built to such a poor standard it was a building site on and off for 6 years and took over £300,000.00 to repair. But apparently according to Galliford Try it is, and the fact they had spend so much putting it right is our fault too?Dear Mr Thank you for your email dated 11th October.I sympathise with your situation and apologise for the difficulties you have experienced. I understand, however, the matter has been dealt with by the NHBC in its independent capacity.Regards Graham ProtheroChief ExecutiveThere is very little justice in this world, and Galliford Try are now to buy out Bovis and merge them with Linden Homes!As said before such stories are just 5 minute wonders, no one sits up and takes notice, there are no consumer rights for new house buyers, building companies know this and just laugh all the way to the bank with your money, what a wonderful occupation to be in.Fat cats just get fatter

Caveat · 31 October 2019 · Linden Homes Northern Home Counties Cranfield

★★★★★ 4/5

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Lovely experience

Lovely experience, accommodating team from start to finish. Completed on time. Very happy with my new home.

Charlotte · 22 October 2019 · Linden Homes Northern Home Counties Cranfield

★★★★★ 1/5

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I wouldn't buy from them again. Shame.

Pain to deal with them. We bought a new build home (Borley Park, Botley) and gave them our key to sort out snagging problems after we moved our belongings into the house. Next day when I was at work and they worked on the house our smart alarm system recorded one of their people as he rummaged in our drawers. The next day they sacked the man and they said sorry. I had to replace the locks, and put a new security system in place plus disposed of all the effected clothes which cost me thousands. I ask Linden to pay for some of the damage they caused because of their negligence, but I had no luck with them. Nice. I wouldn't buy from them again. Shame.

Alexander · 19 October 2019 · Linden Homes Northern Home Counties Cranfield

★★★★★ 1/5

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If there was an option for zero stars…

If there was an option for zero stars it would be that. I have lived on the Linden Homes estate in Radstock for 2 1/2 years and had no contact from Linden Homes to the changes of plans for the road etc. The Road works have been contracted out and the lovely men completing the works have kept the street up to date of changes. This is not good enough Linden Homes!The road plans have changed, I have checked with BANES, we have not been informed by yourselves. The road is meant to be a two way road, however you can only fit one car down at a time. You have not met the legal requirement for two lane road... what are you going to do.Also stop ignoring the feedback and comments your customers are leaving. The Bristol office have not been helpful, and are refusing to contact any of the property owners to discuss options. All we ask for is communication.My first ever home and I would not buy from you ever again - not worth the hassle.

George · 15 October 2019 · Linden Homes Northern Home Counties Cranfield

★★★★★ 3/5

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Having been in our house in Truro now…

Having been in our house in Truro now for 3 years, the house is good quality and a really nice design, just make sure you get them to fix any problems as soon as you possibly can as time goes by as they loose interest the longer you leave it. Make sure to check every screw, fixing, hinge, downpipe, french windows etc... in the first couple of weeks of use and keep on at them until they turn up. AND when they do turn up make sure you are there to make sure everything is fixed.

Matt · 4 October 2019 · Linden Homes Northern Home Counties Cranfield

★★★★★ 1/5

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I was told that my home would be ready…

I was told that my home would be ready winter 2019 they was very pushy in me signing my house over and everything then to have a letter saying my house is ready but roads and stuff are not and that my house wont be ready till January to July 2020 I needed a quick move y I went down this route now I regret and wish I bought another house as this would of been a quicker option for me I would of been waiting over 18 months for a move since I bought this house. Linden your a joke and hope people dont make the same mistake as us

Amanda · 2 October 2019 · Linden Homes Northern Home Counties Cranfield

★★★★★ 5/5

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Good quality houses, and excellent customer service

We bought 3 bedroom house from Cranbrook, Exeter. We're very delighted with the quality of our new home. Absolutely fantastic customer service before and after sale. Thank you very much for Simon proper gentleman and the rest of the sales team also Michaela and the rest of the after sales team. Would definitely recommend Linden homes to anyone.

Tony · 25 September 2019 · Linden Homes Northern Home Counties Cranfield

★★★★★ 1/5

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Terrible

Beyond Terrible. Worst buy . Bad workmanship no customers service . No ones interested in helping resolve problems. So Disappointed with our purchase. Kitchen dysfunctional . Carpets fitted badly. Poor finish in bathrooms. Purchased before completed big mistake garden not big enough to put a shed up . As for the House Rising damp ! We moved in May 2019

Nuggets · 25 September 2019 · Linden Homes Northern Home Counties Cranfield

★★★★★ 1/5

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poor Housekeeping

I currently live on montbray in Barnstaple a linden home, we are required to pay some sort of maintenance charge for keeping the place neat & tidy whilst I think this is a good idea I don’t like the fact that plants are being planted only to be left to die & at our expense be replanted a couple of weeks later, surely this is a complete waste of our hard earned money .

Debbie · 23 September 2019 · Linden Homes Northern Home Counties Cranfield

★★★★★ 1/5

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Google 'Portsmouth news woman suicidal' re Linden

To a recent Reviewer saying "this is a genuine review" all I can say is how naive to give a 5* rating just over a month after moving in. Encouraged to leave a 5* review so soon yet who, in their right mind, gives 5 stars then goes on to list multiple things wrong !!!!! If they were genuine I'd have thought 3 stars at most would have been more appropriate. Snags having to be done multiple times, getting contractors back not once, not twice but 3 times. This reviewer does realise, surely, that when giving a review against Linden that does include their contractors 🤔 so complains or admits faults yet still gives 5* 😂Let's see if they still want to give 5* when they've been in 2 years or when something major goes wrong and Linden doesn't want to know. Maybe this reviewer should Google 'Portsmouth news woman suicidal" and see the contempt Linden really treat its customers with.How anyone can give 5* to this abhorrent, unethical, bullying, cowboy of a builder is beyond me.

Yvette · 19 September 2019 · Linden Homes Northern Home Counties Cranfield

★★★★★ 5/5

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Lovely family home- Cleeve View

This is a genuine review.We bought our finished house (The Cheltenham) in May 2019 and moved in in July 2019 due to our jobs and we have had a very good experience with everything so far and our pleased with our choice.Neil in the Sales office was competent and not pushy allowing us to choose between a couple of plots. He was helpful and answered all our questions.The buying process was quick and efficient as we weren't in a chain as we had sold our flat previously and were renting.The move itself was easy and I cannot praise AJ, the site manager, more. He really goes beyond to sort out any issues, has a real attention to detail and genuinely cares that you have a good experience. He's also my toddler's hero and is always so nice to him. No snag is too small and he will keep chasing to get it sorted.The site at Cleeve View is nicely thought out, wide streets and plenty of parking spaces. Also a decent amount of greenery so you don't feel hemmed in. Our garden is a decent size and the double garage is enormous. As is expected we have had a few snagging issues such as paint work, some wall dents (mainly caused by the wardrobe fitters), a fan not wired correctly and the patio doors warping. Nothing we couldn't live with till fixed. We do have a couple of improvements to suggest though:-I would say that the contractors that Linden use can be a bit hit and miss. The wardrobes (paid for by the interiors package) were fitted by Goodings and they had to come three times to make them work and even then left holes in the walls for Linden to fix. AJ was on this very quickly though. We had an issue with a painter not completing the snagging list so had to have another visit. Luckily I was around but I can imagine if you were working it would be frustrating.Also it is a shame that Linden choose to cost cut in certain places: --The Indesit appliances feel quite cheap. The double oven only came with two racks and the fridge with one shelf and a bottle shelf which is pointless. -No higher units in the utility room (have had to buy more ourselves and pay to have them fitted).-A lack of sockets or positioned in strange places- Irritating that you can only turn lights on/off from one switch in the family room/ dining room/ kitchenOverall I would definitely recommend this Linden site and others on here and in the street are all happy with theirs.

Rachel · 19 September 2019 · Linden Homes Northern Home Counties Cranfield

★★★★★ 1/5

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Tread carefully...

We moved into our linden home in Dec 2018. Initially we were impressed with the attitude of the sales team and the site manager, and our initial snagging list was rectified within days.However, in February we noticed damp in the lounge which was caused by the bath waste not being connected to the soil stack properly, we waited 6 months to have a cracked tile in the ensuite replaced and to cap it all for the last 2 months we've had the strong smell of raw sewage flooding into our property.After contacting Lindens 4 times to get it investigated, it transpired that the durgo cap was missing from the top of the stack and it was packed with pipe lagging! My wife and toddler have been displaying symptoms from inhaling the fumes.Suffice is it to say we are now taking legal action against Linden homes as nobody should expect to essentially be poisoned by the fumes from raw sewage in their brand new home.

James · 11 September 2019 · Linden Homes Northern Home Counties Cranfield

★★★★★ 1/5

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Bloody awful

Bloody awful. Stitched us up on the freehold before the ink was dry on the leases and failed to fix faulty dangerous central heating flues

Alain · 6 September 2019 · Linden Homes Northern Home Counties Cranfield

★★★★★ 1/5

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Customer service don't even answer the…

Customer service don't even answer the phone. Reported issues get ignored. Many residents on the development are angry and unhappy.

Al · 6 September 2019 · Linden Homes Northern Home Counties Cranfield

★★★★★ 1/5

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Don't be fooled by suspicious good reviews - read the truth in mine

All very well someone below saying "stear clear of witch hunts and spouting off on social media" but for most of us, we only TOOK to social media because of Linden Homes' attitude and appalling bullying and mishandling of our claims. Easy to be a part of the "blame" culture when it's not you who has had your life ripped apart. If you want the truth, read my reviews, not someone who has one way or another been incentivised in giving a good review... and who in their right mind reviews a company highly when admitting it has taken the 2 year warranty period, almost in its entirety, to get the house they were lied into believing they would get! If you bought a car that didn't run properly for the first 2 years, are you telling me you would find that acceptable and give praise just because it got fixed just about within the 2 years. How absurd. Linden walked away with my keys after changing the locks and tried to have me thrown out of a rental property whilst withholding the keys to my house. Not only have I paid more than £54,000 in mortgage payments on a house "unfit for habitation" but I've paid out more than £20,000 to live elsewhere in temporary accommodation too and have lived in 4 hotels and 3 rental properties in 3.5 years. Packed and unpacked 10 times so please, don't anyone tell me it's about relationship building with these unethical bullies. The TRUTH about Linden Homes lays in mine and the other 77% of unhappy, ripped off and abused customers reviews.Strange how these so called 5* reviews pop up after several scathing ones! You don't fool us Linden.

Yvette · 6 September 2019 · Linden Homes Northern Home Counties Cranfield

★★★★★ 4/5

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Abbey Farm B Swindon

My wife and I purchased a Linden Windsor in October 2017. We have had our fair share of issues from drainage problems to the usual snagging such as creaky floor boards and settlement cracks. At first there was a problem with communication between the customer care team and my wife and I but Linden made changes internally which inturn helped in building a good relationship between Linden and ourselves . We will have been in our house 2 years in October and the issues are coming to a close within the 2 years builders guarantee. The best way to approach issues with house builders is to build good communication and a relationship where both parties respect each other and the same end goal within a realistic time frame. I have been in the civil engineering and construction industry for 22 years so can relate to being the contractor and the buyer. My advise is to steer clear of witch hunts, spouting off on social media and concentrate on sorting your own home and all will come good. My family are now enjoying our Linden home almost issue free.Hope this helps anyone only reading the bad reviews.

Matthew · 5 September 2019 · Linden Homes Northern Home Counties Cranfield

★★★★★ 5/5

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Development

Development - Wilford Fields, West Bridgford. My partner and I visited many developments in the West Bridgford area before deciding to buy a new home with Linden Homes. From the initial meet, the sales team really stood out in terms of friendliness, approachability and passion. They helped us choose the home and specification that suited our budget. They were very good with updating us on the progress and actually expedited the build so it was ready for my partner's birthday which was lovely. All of the punch list items were resolved quickly and the build quality is excellent. My father owns his own construction company and commented on the quality of this house and the development. I would really recommend this company and several reviews below would have put me off but I'm glad I made my decision based on merit, which was to the sales team.

Jon · 5 September 2019 · Linden Homes Northern Home Counties Cranfield

★★★★★ 1/5

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if your looking for a new build please…

if your looking for a new build please avoid this company

James · 2 September 2019 · Linden Homes Northern Home Counties Cranfield

★★★★★ 1/5

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To Caveat Emptor

To Caveat Emptor - if you see this message, please contact me. I have ready both of your reviews in their entirety.You can private message me, I'm on FB and also Twitter@yvette86129589

Yvette · 2 September 2019 · Linden Homes Northern Home Counties Cranfield

★★★★★ 1/5

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Thinking of buying a Linden Home? Beware!!!

Beware Linden Homes - PART ONEI have not written a review before now, having read all the others on Linden Homes, please be fully aware of what you will be letting yourself in for.I wish something like this was available when we were looking to buy. It would have saved a lot of grief and unhappiness that is the life style of buying a house from Linden Homes aka Galliford Try.There are no real consumers rights for a defective house. In fact you have more rights over a dented can of beans or defective electrical item, than you do a house built badly (really badly in our case)…………the builders know this. They will not even worry unless you have £60,000 plus to take any Court action against them. In effect they have you over a barrel, the moment you sign the contract.Their CEO is not interested, their Directors are not interested, and their share holders should be disgusted with how their dividends are obtained. If it was any other form of trading, people would be locked up for such matters. Its despicable, yet goes on every day.You email them, they never respond………in fact they can not be bothered with your plight whatsoever.Ours has been 6 full years of hell and misery. It ruins your life, your wellbeing and health, and to be honest nobody cares, and nothing will ever change.Our property, built by Linden Homes, a subsidiary of Galliford Try was purchased in 2013, and promptly flooded within 8 weeks of moving in. Six years later, and at a cost of over £350,000.00 it has been comprehensively deconstructed, and rebuilt from the outside in, and the inside out. The only original parts left are the roof, timber frame, internal walls and staircases. Working is still on going……….ruined holidays, unable to [lan things, no respite whatsoever.The ‘small’ list of defects Incorrect Damp Proof course throughout the whole property, both internal and external.Lack of fire stops throughout the property.Foundation breeze blocks just lying in the cavity not cemented in.Incorrectly installed and illegal mains gas supply pipeIncorrectly installed and illegal electrical socketsIncorrect installation of wall ties joining the outer and inner walls together.Defective and non compliant DPC trays above the garage, every door reveal and most window reveal, including the utility boxes.No internal DPCLack of structural support from Lintels for each window identified within the property.Lack of structural Lintel support for stonework above exterior doorways.Ineffective and non compliant Radon Barrier.Non compliant and ineffective weep and air vents for the cavity throughout.Blocked and ineffective air bricks ventilating the sub structure.Non compliant drop off area outside the property between groundworks and the DPC.Incorrectly installed and non compliant chimney/flue.Kitchen all out of alignment, not installed correctly.Drain pipes from the roof, just pushed into the garden (literally) no soak away or drainage. The house was covered in scaffolding for over three and a half years, whilst Linden Homes and the NHBC made their minds up who was responsible for this effort of a house build, and who was going to repair it.In 2014 a year after we continually asked Linden Homes to repair our property, the back door wedged closed, walls with mould growth on from the water ingress, we sent them an email, highlighting what we thought were defects in the Damp Proof Course (DPC) with photographs, and screen shots from a Building Regulations websites.Their response was Dear Mr …………………..'Your photos have been reviewed and discussed and following this, I can confirm that your home was built in accordance with NHBC standards and that all materials used are specified by Linden Homes and fit for purpose.Our workmanship and materials get approved by the NHBC through our construction process which is why they are then able to provide you with their 10 year warranty policy.' We did apply for a Subject Access Request (SAR - see below)Bearing in mind we received this email, confirming everything was in order. Yet 3 days before we received that email internal emails between Directors of Linden Homes stated the following, openly lying to us in their response about the issues we had. These are all documented on Linden internal emails'I have a terrible feeling we've not followed the detail and don't know what the next steps would be in trying to answer Mr …………. question.' Followed by another ' Dear all, if the NHBC Approved engineer's and architect's construction details have not been followed, I do not know what more I can add other than to say the floor should be taken up and re instated in accordance with those details at the screeder's expense' But no, lets just write back and say to the owner, there is nothing wrong with the property……The SAR also revealed such damming internal emails between Directors and Heads of Business such as 'Number 1, I wanted to make you aware of this and it's obviously not good, nor is it normal for us to have the NHBC invoke Rule 27, but I have another huge concern about this claim which I'd like you to be party to. The whole scenario with the floor detail in the dining room fills me with dread if I'm honest. Following the Resolution, C got H to draw an as built detail. This has not been shared with the NHBC, as yet as I would like you to be comfortable that it won't cause us any issues if we do sent (send) it off as shown.' 'If such a thing exists, Mr……….. does really seem to have a Friday afternoon house.’'Gents. Pls see the disturbing emails below which I need to discuss with you tomorrow. Was it really this bad? Were we rushed? Did it have a QM inspection or was it before we did them?’I didn't fully appreciate how much of a disgrace this home appears to be!! ................ And if we ever wondered why the house was never repaired properly from the outset……’N…. following a meeting I had earlier with G (G being the site manger) he's now provided me with his thoughts as to why we have the issues we have.......we could have done more with the stonework and whilst G refers to it doesn't mention his thoughts as to the retrospective pointing and how he was restrained from doing more than the minimum by J(J being the New Build Manager)'And when we applied for the SAR their National Customer Services Director has the cheek to write………'He really is playing games isn't he. Not sure what Mr ……………... angle is, but hopefully Monday’s meeting will draw this out in the open' Or the best of all………' I'm lost for words (as I'm sure you are) and now have increasing concerns that these issues not only relate to this house but a number if (of) others. In advance of our meeting on Monday we will need to consider full time attendance by a competent Site Manager as and when works are rectified as we obviously can't trust our sub contractors without constant supervision. This may be one for G as he 'built' the house in the first place with temporary cover provided at ………….' So we were lied to, the true nature of the faults were fully known, yet covered up. We were left with surveyors and solicitors fees, when all along Linden knew full well the consequences of their poor build. Works were carried out which undermined the foundations of the property (all hidden and exposed by works in 2017 when the house was externally demolished) This tale covers every possible avenue of recourse, and to be honest Linden Homes do not give two hoots as to how it effects your life, your social well being, or family life. They offer no compensation, and once they have your money, care little for your concerns or welfare.Knowing what I know now, my advice is;1) The first thing I would say, to hit these people where it really hurts is……... DO NOT FILL OUT THE 8 WEEK CUSTOMER SURVEY SENT BY THE NHBC!This survey is sent out by the NHBC on behalf of the House Builders Federation, (HBF’s) who then use the results to prepare feedback papers and reports, which are used by the Government to gauge public satisfaction with New Builds.HBF’s national new homes customer satisfaction survey of house builders was launched in 2005 in response to recommendations in the Barker Review of Housing of 2004. It is a self-completion census done by the purchasers of new build homes. Survey results are published annually in March each year.Obviously things were as bad in 2004 as they are now, and this survey is the prime reason why the HBF issues such statements as below……..The results of the latest home building industry’s Customer Satisfaction Survey (CSS), carried out by HBF and the NHBC, demonstrate a customer satisfaction level that matches or exceeds those in most other industries or sectors.This survey is sent out at 8 weeks after completion, and a further survey is sent out after 9 months. Funnily enough the only published results as those from the 8 week survey, when the house is new, seen through rose coloured spectacles, and everything appears to be nice, fresh and clean. Why do you think the initial contact and service from the builder is so good pre - purchase? They are trying to sell you that dream, which ultimately could be a living hell for years to come. Linden appear excellent at the pre sales pitch, as evidenced by the other feedbacks here, until things start to go wrong and then………………………Then you are on your own.If the Government and HBF really want to know what a builders service and quality is like, why not wait until you have had longer in the property to see what so called ‘snagging' issues develop and how they are dealt with. Why are the 9 month results not published, and what do these actually reveal………its all a con!PART TWO TO FOLLOW TOMORROW AS ITS TOO BIG TO FIT ON ONE REVIEW FORM

Caveat · 2 September 2019 · Linden Homes Northern Home Counties Cranfield

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Part TWO.........................Beware…

Part TWO.........................Beware of Linden Homes!!!2) If you get problems, think very seriously about getting the house inspected thoroughly by an independent surveyor. This can be expensive but has two purposes.a) What you think are ‘snagging’ issues could be far more serious, and have deep rooted causes. An independent survey will identify the true faults that the builders will try and fob you off with.b) The builders have two years to rectify these ‘faults’. If it is anything like ours, they are no more than cheap quick fixes.( in one case downright dangerous, and they covered it all up). They turn up when they feel like it. You have to take days off work for someone not to even bother turning up, or to do the wrong job. We lost 164 working days over 2+ years for faults never to be rectified properly. The two year time line also takes you out of the period you could take a builder to Court. The Local Authority can on your behalf take a builder to Court for failing to comply with Building Regulations on a poorly constructed property………..within 2 years. So make sure if your house is badly built, you do not get conned into waiting and waiting for them to do so called ‘snagging’ especially if the faults are serious.if a person carrying out building work contravenes the Building Regulations, the local authority may prosecute them in the Magistrates' Court where an unlimited fine may be imposed (sections 35 and 35A of the Building Act 1984). Prosecution is possible up to two years after the completion of the offending work. This action will usually be taken against the person carrying out the work (builder, installer or main contractor).c) You can complain to the dispute resolution scheme run by IDRS Ltd and is called CCHBAS (Consumer Code for Home Builders’ Adjudication Scheme)…but guess what you can only do this in the first 2 years!So you probably now realise, the odds are stacked up aginst you for any enforcement action against the house builders. Everything just seems to work in their favour, and they know this. yet after 8 weeks you filled in the NHBC Satisfaction Survey, to say what a wonderful house you have, and how you would recommend the builder to a friend……….really would you do so now you know what you have let yourself in for.3) You could write to your M.P. or the Housing Minister. Probably a waste of paper and time. They can do little. The Government has been promising a Housing Ombudsman since 2000, its never happened. We wrote to the Housing Minister in 2014, and had a standard two page reply, extolling the virtues of The NHBC Warranty (more on that later), Financial Ombudsman Service, or take legal action against the builder…………who pays for this?Since the purchase of our property there have been over eight Housing Ministers. There is no continuity in post, and you always get a standard response from some underling. In fact we had our latest response from the new Minister in January 2019……….exactly the same letter signed by a different person, just wonderful, and yet again promising a Housing Ombudsman. The same letter 5 years later, same wording, same paraphrasing.4) One of the best things you can do is apply to the builder for a SUBJECT ACCESS REPORT. This is a Data Protection format, which entitles you to ALL the documentation, emails, phone calls (where recorded) and correspondence the builder has on file. It’s free to you, and very time consuming for the builders Data Protection Office to comply with. We were lucky as we were one of the first to apply for such. Others who did so afterwards got very redacted responses, more akin to a C.I.A. disclosure with pages covered in black ink everywhere.5) If the NHBC were also the Building Controllers inspecting the property throughout the build process apply for your BUILDING INSPECTION REPORT.Linden Homes were at pains to explain and extol the virtues of the NHBC inspecting the property whilst it was being built, adding some weight to the quality of the finished product. This was absolute rubbish.a) The house was inspected 5 times at various key stages and, they identified 4 major structural faults, all of which were signed off as corrected by the Site Manager of Linden Homes………..they never were. One of which was the incorrect ties and the DPC!b) It will give you some insight as to what was identified as a fault, so if you need a surveyor for problems, then they have a starting point for faults that may never have been corrected.c) Don’t be surprised if you had very few inspections of the five mandated by the NHBC. Its not uncommon and I have over 18 such reports from other households to prove such.The following now just shows how flawed the whole system is………If you find your house has not been inspected properly by NHBC Building Control, you can complain to the CICAIR (Construction Industry Council). This is a two year prolonged wastage of time. You get the same response from separate heads of department, the same letter, just the wording copied and pasted in different areas of the letter. Only when you have exhausted the NHBC Building Control Complaints system, will they GIVE YOU PERMISSION to complain to the body that oversees them.Yes you read it correctly, the overseeing body of Building Control, needs that organisations authority to investigate a complaint against it! We have had one finding in our favour that the NHBC as the Approved Inspector……….. ‘That the Approved Inspector lacked the necessary level of competence and experience required and failed to have the available resources adequately to fulfil the work required for that role'CICAIR failed to look at other evidence we provided to them, especially a house that had its final inspection on completion, the Approved Inspector noted 2 major structural faults that breached Building Regulations, yet signed these off as corrected that same day, when they were not. They then issued a Building Regulations Compliance Certificate on that very same day. Again all evidenced with the copies of such in hand. We have now had to appeal to the Housing and Parliamentary Health Ombudsman, who two years later is still to even look at it!So if you have read this far, well done. Its been 6 years of hell. One of us has been hospitalised through the stress. Been given medication that made you suicidal and depressive. Start dates for works have been reneged upon. On one occasion, having waited 6 months for the dud start date it was cancelled with 24 hours notice. We had to wait over three and a half years for the NHBC to eventually start corrective works. These revealed such shoddy workmanship, its a wonder the house stayed up. The main RSJ in the kitchen held up by the kitchen door frame and a 3” piece of breeze block on one side. Lintels just resting on window frames and no other support. When the stone facing was removed, doors and windows just fell out the house, as they were not even secured in place. No damp course throughout the whole ground floor, it went on and on……….even the NHBC structural engineer stated he had never seen a house so badly built………..We have tried every possible avenue for recompense, admission and liability from Linden Homes building a property to appalling standards. All they did was get their solicitors to send letters. They do not want to know, in fact no one wants to know. The defects were such, it was not even fit for habitation. We are told at one point the house was unmortgable, and not sellable. Best of all, if we tried to sell the property with such defects known to us, and we did not disclose them, we actually commit a Criminal Offence. Recent regulatory changes have brought property sales under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading regulations, which came into force in 2008. They protect consumers by requiring traders to disclose everything that might affect a buyer's decision. The Property Misdescriptions Act, which previously applied to property sales, prevented sellers and estate agents making any incorrect or misleading statements that could give buyers the wrong impression about a property. It was repealed in October 2013, amid a push to achieve more standardised consumer protection legislation. If the agent (or seller) fails to disclose information that a buyer later discovers, they could face criminal charges and up to two years in prison. So Linden Homes can build a home not even complying with Building Regulations, not fit for habitation, which is dangerous and could collapse, and commit no offence in law. You try to sell it as such and you now become a criminal.Brilliant absolutely brilliant, …………..still thinking of buying that house???You can go to the papers, get your your 5 minutes of fame, but nothing will happen. You will read about such stories, time and time again, year after year. Nothing happens, no one wants to stop it, and builders and their shareholders are laughing all the way to the bank at your expense and health.When you move into your New Linden property every house gets a nice folder entitled 'Moving In and Enjoying My New Linden Home (sic)Page 10 - 'FOR EXTRA REASSURANCE'“Essentially this means you could be entitled to compensation, if we encounter problems finishing your home, and any issues once you have moved in, that are our fault will be put right. We know this is the worst case scenario, but it gives everyone peace of mind just in case something does go wrong” It should read when it does all go wrong………………..go swing on it, its your fault for buying it?It makes you laugh really, their latest sales pitch when buying a brand new Linden Home is 'No sorting someone else's DIY disasters or dated decorations - you've got a blank canvas to make your own’SHAME THEY CAN NOT SORT OUT THEIR OWN ‘IN BUILT’ DISASTERS BEFORE THEY ACTUALLY SELL IT TO YOU?'

Caveat · 1 September 2019 · Linden Homes Northern Home Counties Cranfield

★★★★★ 1/5

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I’ve never known such a untrustworthy…

I’ve never known such a untrustworthy company in my life!! Poor workman ship!! Bad attitude off staff mainly managers!!!! Never admit liability or fault for there mistakes!! I’ve never cried as much in my life as I have while dealing with awful company!! We’re now stuck in a awful situation with them as we’ve spend thousands on furniture/ blinds etc all ready to exchange to find out we’ve been miss sold a house with false boundaries and were being blamed because we’ve only just noticed 😂 “sorry for trusting in the company!! More fool us!! Over a meter width we’ve lost to our neighbours!! To be told they will compensate us with a dishwasher and washing machine 🤦‍♀️ There refusing to move the boundaries now as the other house is occupied! So now we have to have the property re-valued again!! And basically start from scratch!! I want to pull out of the whole thing but there refusing to help cover our money lost!! My advice stay clear! There frauds!!!

Claireabella · 30 August 2019 · Linden Homes Northern Home Counties Cranfield