It’s unlivable: owners
Claims ‘luxury’ homes riddled with problems
RESIDENTS of a new Gold Coast development say their dream homes have become nightmares, with one property still “unlivable” nine months after the owners were handed the keys.
The homeowners have told the Bulletin their luxury homes at the Park Cove development in Hope Island were left “unfinished”, with flooding bathrooms, sewage leaks and damaged accessories, forcing one resident to sleep in her car.
But developer and builder Keylin and Greyburn Building Contractors said they had seen “no issues” with the development.
Julie Valli was the poster woman for Park Cove after cutting the ribbon at the 2017 launch, but said she had been left “broken” by poor-quality building.
Ms Valli has been battling contractors for almost a year to have her $800,000 threestorey home completed after she bought off the plan.
She said she slept in her car some nights after the “rush job” left her house “unlivable”.
“There’s dust and broken glass everywhere from contractors. I can’t live in my own house and there’s no light at the end of the tunnel,” she said.
“I’ve got more than 400 defects on my house still.
“I’ve lost almost $200,000 in value in less than two years.”
Ms Valli was first handed the keys to her new home last August but said it was clear it was not finished and some of the upgrades she had paid for were missing.
“I had it for two weeks before they took back possession for three months to fix up problems, and midOctober I was told it was sorted,” she said.
But, seven months later, Ms Valli said she was still unable to properly move in as works continued.
A lengthy list of problems from missing insulation to a leaking roof were yet to be repaired, she said.
The home was even left without any safety railings on the second and third floors for a week in March.
“I just want a finished house, I just want what I was promised,” Ms Valli said. She is not alone.
The Davidsons moved from Sydney for a relaxing retirement but were instead confronted by building delays, incorrect plans and “very poor” workmanship.
“We were supposed to get a downstairs toilet and shower … and they just didn’t build one,” Pat Davidson said. “No refund, nothing.”
The couple were also left waiting an extra three months to move into their new home in 2018 after the building schedule was extended without notice.
Mrs Davidson said now that they were finally in, they couldn’t wait to leave.
“They’re supposed to be luxury but I feel like I’m living in a housing commission home,” she said.
Mrs Davidson said it had been an uphill battle to get problems fixed and they had resorted to doing much of the work themselves.
Others, who did not wish to be named, said they were also trying to sell up fast after having problems, including mould in their new homes.
A spokeswoman for Keylin and Greyburn Building Contractors said customer satisfaction was their highest priority.
“We are not aware of any customer having to fix an issue themselves,” she said.
“Should the customer identify maintenance requests that do not fall within our contractual obligations, we welcome an independent industry inspector to adjudicate, ensuring a fair and reasonable result for both parties. This has only occurred once.”
I CAN’T LIVE IN MY OWN HOUSE AND THERE’S NO LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL