Fine was slashed by 90%

The National House Building Council has been slammed in court for levying “grossly disproportionate” charges on a small builder, after ordering repairs on one of his projects.

The judge threw out over 90% of the National House Building Council’s (NHBC) claim against Midlands builder Michael Jackson, reducing it to £556 from £6,642.

The judge found the NHBC made a catalogue of errors, including charging for work that hadn’t been carried out. While finding it had been right to arrange the repairs that had followed a rift between Jackson and his client, Judge Anderton said: “I find that the costs sought are grossly disproportionate.”

The NHBC told Building that its costs claim accurately reflected work conducted.

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