What To Know About Defects Liability Period

What To Know About Defects Liability Period


Building defects liability periods are important for homeowners to understand. They can have a significant impact on your house and its overall quality.

What is Defects Liability Period?
The quality of work is inspected and assessed during this period to see if there are any defects. Defects liability usually starts upon reaching practical completion.

Practical Completion
This means that the contract works are complete and are now ready for a formal building defects inspection. This marks the commencement of the defects liability period.

Substantial Completion
This means that the contractor/builder has completed the stage of works entitling him to claim the agreed contract milestone sum or progress payment.

How Does the Defects Liability Period Work?
The defects liability period for a residential building is shorter than that of commercial ones. This means you need to make sure all your plans and decisions align with this timeline, as any violation could result in damages. Before work is carried out, it’s always wise to ask how long the project will take.

Building Defects Inspection
A building defects inspector is hired to check for any signs of trouble with your residential structure. They'll go through every inch, and share their findings in an official report, which you can use as necessary.

Building Defects Report
The document provides a detailed account of issues such as defects and incomplete work. This could be used as evidence if ever there is litigation against either party for breach of contract.
Common Building Defects
  • Structural Defects
  • Non-Structural Defects
  • Concrete Spalling
  • External Wall Tiling Defects
  • Water Leaks
Why is the Defects Liability Period Important?
1. It ensures the fitness of the residential building to serve its purpose.
The defects liability period is the time to fix anything that needs fixing, and polish anything which could be made more appealing. This includes considering how safe your home would feel like for you as an owner, or renters, with these repairs being done on it.

2. This period gives the principal the right to damages if any defect is found.
It is important to be aware of your legal rights when it comes time for repairs. If you find any breaches or defect, then you may expect repayment in damages- but only after consulting with a specialist construction lawyer about whether the erring party qualifies as contractually obligated to pay damages.

3. This period can also be the time to know if the builders and contractors had done their job well.
The more defects there are, the worse your house’s build quality is. The Residential Building Inspectors will assess whether a breach has occurred, and how skillful the builders had been when they completed their work.
How Can Construction Lawyers Help During Defects Liability Period?

Legal Advice
Taking the time to find a specialist construction lawyer will ensure that you are able to take proper action in case there are any issues. Legal proceedings often involve volumes of paperwork, but the key to success may depend on what you include in your report. In order for it to be legally persuasive, make sure all relevant information is included. Your lawyer can help with that.