EDG – Elmsbrook Defects Group

EDG was set up in January 2020, in the last meeting of the original Residents’ Association – we decided that since we already had ECO and the Traffic and Parking group, plus other interest/games groups, the main remaining issues for residents were Defects, so since A2 would no longer come to Residents’ Association meetings, we should close this, and set up a Defects group instead, and set up any other groups as needed for other kinds of issues.

Then Covid hit…

Summer 2020, we wrote the EDG’s “Aims and Purpose” document – and we have stuck to this ever since.

Sadly, it seems that most new housing estates since the late 90s have all manner of defects, and most developers are increasing (a) slow to repair them, and (b) try to get away with doing as little as they can.  Our main aim is to push A2/Crest Nicholson to do the right thing, and repair all of ours on Elmsbrook, as defined by the NHBC and Building Regulations.

It’s a long and difficult process, as both try to treat residents in isolation, make use of their lack of knowledge… plus, they change ‘customer service’ personnel regularly, and “lose” defects records and agreements.  A lot of it is probably incompetence; some is definitely key individuals trying to “get away with” not paying for things they should, and trying to create blurred lines re what has been reported, agreed etc. 

We are currently a fairly ad-hoc team of ~15 people, representing all 4 phases of Elmsbrook.