Keys to a new apartment - a step into a new life or a natural disaster? We studied the typical problems of new residents and asked experts for the best ways to solve them
Why is there a happy impatience in anticipation of the keys toa new apartment so often ends with unexpected expenses and a ruined nervous system? According to statistics, almost every second house in Russia is handed over with defects, large and small. Budget and elite housing are not distinguished by stubborn numbers: everyone is equally at risk of encountering problems, regardless of the amount invested. The "leaders" of complaints are crooked walls and partitions. Next in line are carelessly installed window units with loose fittings. And the list is closed by leaky seams, freezing walls, dampness and leaks.
Developer responsibility
What to do if this is exactly your case?Insist on your rights, and insist quickly. According to the law, the warranty period for a new building is 5 years from the date of delivery. All problems that do not comply with the GOST and SNiP (Building Norms and Rules) standards, discovered during this time, must be eliminated by the builders themselves and at their own expense. To do this, you will have to record all the facts of the defects and write an official claim.
Our opinion:— You need to start with a careful inspection of the floors, walls, ceilings, windows, wiring, water supply, heating, meters and machines. All defects must be recorded in the inspection report with a representative of the HOA or the developer. This document (you will need two copies) must be handed to the developer along with the claim. A reasonable period for eliminating defects according to the law on consumer rights is 45 days. As a rule, the company tries to come to an agreement with the client one way or another. Otherwise, call in independent construction experts, draw up an estimate for eliminating problems and defects, consult with lawyers and go to court.
Do not miss anything
Some problems are difficult for a non-specialistrecognize immediately. They can be discovered later, when the finishing work has already been done. Then the elimination of construction defects will cost twice as much. To avoid such a situation, pay special attention to key points. Be sure to call specialists to carry out pressure testing of pipes to check the water supply, heating and sewerage systems. While the pressure testers are working, carefully inspect all the pipe joints yourself. The places where waterproofing should be done should be filled with water for several hours. It is best to check the electrics with the help of a specialist too - the wires must be brought to the apartment and connected to the appropriate meter.
Special attention should be paid to window units.Modern new buildings often have the cheapest plastic windows with a minimum number of chambers in the profile and the simplest double-glazed windows. This may not be enough for you, especially for children's rooms and bedrooms. And replacing a window without affecting the finishing in an already renovated apartment is almost impossible. There may be another problem. Even the most responsible developers almost never call in specialists to install a window - they do it themselves. And this often leads to sad results.
Tatyana Serova, "Windows into the House":— It is no coincidence that profile manufacturers provide a guarantee for their products only if they are installed correctly. Otherwise, even the highest quality ones will not last long. It is difficult to check the accuracy of the window unit installation on your own. It is best to call a specialist for advice. Such a service exists on the market. And it is completely free. An engineer-measuring specialist will inspect your windows, assess the quality of installation, the reliability of the window itself and its fittings, the thickness of the profile and the number of chambers of the glass unit, etc., and then give his recommendations. Sometimes you have to change everything at once if you have a cheap two-chamber profile with loose Chinese fittings. This happens. Sometimes it is enough to change the window in only one of the rooms that requires guaranteed high heat and sound insulation. Some clients ask to change only the glass units in order to get modern “smart” glass with additional properties. These expenses pay off very quickly, because such glass units let in less heat: inward in the summer and outward in the winter. As a result, your heating and air conditioning bills will drop dramatically. Even if you don't have to change anything, a visit from a specialist will still be beneficial - you will have more information about the quality of your builder's work. vdomokna.ru
Repairs
Where does an apartment begin? With the layout.Before you start repairs, think over or order a design project of your future space from professionals. Even before you invite a repair team, you need to imagine where and what partitions will be, whether it will be necessary to move the main communications, whether you need additional sound or heat insulation of the premises and a new screed. At the same stage, you need to think about whether you will glaze and insulate the balcony or loggia.
Tatyana Serova, "Windows into the House":— Since we started replacing old wooden windows with plastic ones on a massive scale, the market has changed a lot. Many new options and possibilities have appeared, both in terms of window construction and design. Before making a decision, try to formulate your requirements for a balcony or loggia. If you need a summer terrace, budget cold glazing will be enough. If you want to use your balcony all year round, you will have to choose profiles with a width of 70-80 mm and a double-glazed window. Additional efforts will also be required to strengthen and insulate the entire structure. If your balcony faces the sunny side, it is a good idea to install special Solar Plus glass with a silver coating there. It will help maintain an optimal climate on the balcony, reflecting excess sun rays. If the balcony faces a busy highway or the third transport ring, you should pay attention to the Rehau Intelio profile — the “quietest” profile in the world today and one of the warmest. If the balcony is on the first or second floor, you need to order windows with special double-glazed windows and fittings with additional protection against burglary, such also exist. A surveyor, whom you can invite for a consultation, will help you understand all these subtleties. vdomokna.ru
New building with finishing
The best option for the consumer— a detailed contract with the developer, which describes all the nuances of the required technical condition of the apartment. But such documents are a rarity on the market, although they allow you to quickly resolve all disputes about the quality and timing of construction. Many experts believe that a company that is ready to offer you such a contract is already trustworthy. In most cases, the buyer himself has to decide what exactly to pay attention to and complain about. The most difficult situation arises if the dispute is about an apartment with a finished finish.
What are your rights to demand in this case?If this is municipal housing, then the standards are determined by the city order. Information about it can be obtained from the responsible department of the city mayor's office. In the case of commercial real estate, the standards are determined by the developer itself. And here it makes sense to insist on a detailed description of all the points in the appendix to the purchase and sale agreement. Otherwise, it will be difficult for you to insist on your rights. There are companies that offer a minimum set: wallpaper on the walls, tiles in the kitchen and bathrooms, linoleum on the floor, interior doors and plumbing. There are companies that promise to equip your future home with the latest technology and design, including the installation of air conditioning systems and the laying of expensive floor coverings. Whatever the situation you face, do not be afraid to fight for your rights. Russian legislation in most cases is on the side of the consumer. But not all of us have enough patience and knowledge to see things through to the end.
