Leaky Homes and Defective Building Claims

Civil Litigation & Dispute Resolution
Construction
Jul 29 2026
You buy a home to feel secure. When the walls start leaking, that certainty disappears.

People often describe the same mix of feelings, stress about health and mould, fear about resale, and anger that a normal family purchase has turned into a long problem.

What a leaky home claim is

A leaky or defective home claim seeks compensation for the cost of fixing building defects and the losses that flow from them. These claims often involve multiple parties, such as builders, developers, designers, and sometimes councils, and they rely heavily on expert evidence about defects and repair costs.

Good claims are built around practical evidence, photos, moisture testing, and a building expert report identifying what went wrong and what it will cost to put right.

When people bring one

People usually seek advice when they receive an expert report confirming defects, when repairs are beyond DIY or patching, or when a body corporate needs a coordinated plan. Time limits can matter, so early legal advice after a consultant report can protect options.

How the process can be made practical

Because repairs can be expensive, many homeowners look for no win no fee or contingency fee style options. Litigation funding can be available for suitable leaky home claims. It involves an external funder (separate from our firm) funding some or all legal costs in return for an agreed share of any recovery.

Litigation funding sits alongside pro bono work and civil legal aid as a tool that can support access to justice. Holland Beckett actively works in all three areas and we will look for options that make a strong claim achievable.

Talk to us

If you suspect your home is leaking or has serious defects, contact us. We can help you understand the strength of the claim, who may be responsible, and the most practical way to fund the process.

AUTHORS

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You finished the work. You sent the claim. Then the payment date passes and nothing happens. For a small contractor, that gap can swallow wages, materials, tax, and sleep. The issue is not just cash, it is whether you are being treated fairly for work already delivered. What a construction payment claim is A construction payment claim is a way to recover money you are owed for building and civil works. It commonly arises when a principal, head contractor, or developer disputes a progress claim, holds back retention, or refuses to pay for variations or delays. These disputes often turn on documents, such as the contract, payment claims and schedules, site records, and quantity surveying evidence. That makes them well suited to a fast, structured approach. When people bring one People usually seek advice when payment is withheld without a clear explanation, when a payment schedule is late or inadequate, or when a project ends and the final account remains unpaid. A common pattern is a disagreement about whether work was within scope, whether variations were approved, or whether defects justify withholding payment. How the process can be made practical In many cases you can use a statutory adjudication process to obtain a quick decision about what must be paid, and when. Holland Beckett has experience representing construction companies in adjudication proceedings concerning payment claims, defective works, and variations. Some clients ask about a no win no fee or contingency fee option because funding a dispute while chasing payment feels backwards. Litigation funding can be available for suitable matters. It involves an external funder (separate from our firm) funding some or all legal costs in return for an agreed share of any recovery. Litigation funding is one tool, sitting alongside pro bono work and civil legal aid, that can help provide access to justice. Holland Beckett actively works in all three areas and we look for practical ways to keep a strong claim moving. Talk to us If you are owed money on a project, talk to us early. We can assess the documents, explain the quickest pathway, and discuss cost options, including whether litigation funding may be available.
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