NHBC in £500k row with homeowner

Gerrards Cross homeowner George White is headed for a High Court showdown with the National House Building Council, the building industry watchdog.

The disputes centres around his home Thames Bank in Marlow and Mr White is demanding damages of £500,000 after accusing the NHBC of breaching a warranty.

His former wife Gillian White bought the property in 1997 from developers Thames Lawn New Homes for £1,243,908.

Building work should have been finished by Maxims plc, who went into liquidation, and Thames Lawn new Homes were unable to finish the project, according to a High Court writ.

Mr White agreed to arrange for his own contractors to finish the work, with Thames Lawn paying, and the work cost £74,501, the writ says.

Mr White says he is also entitled to liquidated damages amounting to £109,000 for delays, £55,000 for omissions for then original contract, and the actual cost of the work, £74,501.

He is also seeking a total of £375,652.76 which includes the cost of replacing external joinery, putting right defects, windows, supervision costs, removal costs, and rental of alternative accommodation.

The NHBC issued a certificate for the property in 1998, and in 2004, Mrs White sued the NHBC, winning judgment for £535,707 with further damages to be assessed, and costs of £36,000, the writ claims.

Mr White claimed against the NHBC under its certificate, and supplied details of his losses, but says the NHBC refused to accept his claim.

As part of divorce proceedings from his wife, a court ruled that the property should be held on trust for him, and it has now been transferred into the names of his children, he says.