UK, Ireland /
Domestic arguments caused by differences between Polish and English culture [109]
All new builds and extensions are visited by a building inspector at least 4 times during construction, and believe me these guys wouldn't pass it if they found something wrong. Their job and probably their mortgage would be down the pan if they got their decision wrong.
Typically building inspectors are shown one property on the estate that is supposedly up to specification. They are not shown every unit. If you think the vast majority of property in the UK is of a high standard, I really am gobsmacked.
(worth pointing out that anything built post-1990 in Poland in terms of flats are an utter joke)
I'm not sure on that -- old block I have been in has poor sound insulation between floors and other troubles. 2003 block built by Jan Bud is much, much better with just a few settlement cracks and minor water ingress to a balcony wall. In the UK, we can only dream of flats that feel and seem as well built as that one by JB.
The problems with UK housing stock are no secret. UK architects and NHF report
architectsjournal.co.uk/news/daily-news/poor-quality-housing-fuels-poverty-cycle/5216985.article
The UK's low-quality housing wastes billions of pounds a year through crime, healthcare and educational failure, a report has claimed
The NHS loses £2.5 billion every year treating people suffering from illnesses directly linked to living in homes that are cold, damp and often dangerous, according to National Housing Federation (NHF) estimates.
Interesting comments from
housepricecrash.co.uk/forum/index.php?showtopic=177922
I have a friend who has begun stripping parts of his newish build house prior to a refit - as an engineer he is outraged by the very poor quality materials and shoddy workmanship. I managed not to smirk.
Britain's bad housing
topdocumentaryfilms.com/britains-bad-housing
He exposes the business tactics which are used to manipulate the planning process, questions the quality of houses and shows how public authorities have allowed developers control over housing policy.
Shelter write about poor quality
england.shelter.org.uk/campaigns/why_we_campaign/building_more_homes
We want to avoid repeating mistakes of the 1960s and 1970s where the quality of housing developments was sometimes sacrificed in a drive to build homes quickly.
To put it mildly!
"Poor quality" of new homes
insidehousing.co.uk/quality-and-quantity/6507606.article
Over recent years, however, there has also been increasingly vociferous debate about the poor quality of new homes. The government has tried to address this issue - local authorities now have a legal duty to consider the design quality of new developments, and planning policy statements emphasise the need for high quality homes. However, there is growing concern that the economic crisis, the housing shortage, falling land values and the associated pressure on housebuilders to retain profit margins may lead to further deterioration in new build quality.
I could go on, but am trying not to get suspended :o)
