{"id":6381,"date":"2010-12-07T12:12:00","date_gmt":"2010-12-07T12:12:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.white-baos.com\/building-defects-more-than-6-years-old-liability-developer-architect-humidity-insulation-waterproof-mould-etc\/"},"modified":"2024-09-04T17:19:55","modified_gmt":"2024-09-04T15:19:55","slug":"building-defects-more-than-6-years-old-liability-developer-architect-humidity-insulation-waterproof-mould-etc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.white-baos.com\/en\/building-defects-more-than-6-years-old-liability-developer-architect-humidity-insulation-waterproof-mould-etc\/","title":{"rendered":"Building defects more than 6 years old. Liability: developer, architect. Humidity, insulation, waterproof, mould, etc."},"content":{"rendered":"
We had a house built in Denia during 2004, where we now live. The property has some serious building defects; we have problems with the water collection (rainwater coming down from the roof), ventilation, and problems with the standard of the work. The builder did not properly insulate and waterproof the property, and there are now serious stains appearing caused by mold and although we have painted over these several times, the spots keep coming back.<\/p>\n
We even had to move out of the property in winter because it is impossible to live here when it rains. We have been told that because over six years have passed since the house was built, the developer is insolvent<\/a> and this is not a structural problem, we cannot do anything about it and have lost the right to claim. Is this true? Do we have any chance of bringing a claim for these damages?<\/p>\n Dear reader,<\/p>\n First of all, thank you for your e-mail.<\/p>\n When we have Building defects in Spain, besides the Law known as a L.O.E (Ley de Ordenacion de la Edificacion<\/a>), that we have previously mentioned in some of our articles, and which regulates in periods of 1, 3 and 10 years the responsibility of the persons part of the building process ( builders, architects, developers, etc) depending if the problems are of finalization-decoration, construction, or structural problem ( stability and resistance of the property); respectively; we must not forget that Article 1591 of the Spanish Civil Code remains in force and states that the contractor (builder) and the architect who directs the constructions works are liable for the ruin of the construction over a 10 year period.<\/p>\n In this sense it has been understood by numerous Courts precedents that \u201cthe concept of ruin that article 1591 refers to, includes any harm or serious impairment experience by a building, affecting or not its strength, exceeds by far the regular imperfections \u201c. Consequently, when there are building defects in Spain, we can understand that the constructor as well as the architect will be held liable depending upon the seriousness of the humidity and construction defects, and whether these can ruin the property and also based on the fact that they appeared during the 10 years immediately following the completion of the work.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n In this regard we must point out that the Supreme Court of Spain has determined that the technical architect assumes the role of collaborator specialized in construction<\/a>, and assumes the activities of inspecting ,monitoring and managing the proper execution of the work as imposed by law, they are the professionals that should keep a more direct contact with the regular and immediate construction process while maintaining the necessary operational professional autonomy.<\/p>\nAnswer:<\/h3>\n
\nTherefore, in your case, if the humidity at the house is seriously affecting its use to the extent that it actually prevents the habitability of the property and makes it useless for its purpose, which is of course to live in it, these can then be considered as fundamental flaws. It is therefore to be assumed that they are covered by the said article No. 1591.<\/p>\nCourt precedents.<\/h4>\n