Facing this reality, Step by Step
If you are unsure whether your property has defective materials or not, there are some questions you can ask yourself and discuss with others before you take the next steps.
If you have thought about these questions and are still worried your property might have been built with defective blocks, then it might be time to begin thinking about what your options are.
Is your home showing signs of cracks internally or externally?
Monitor and examine your property. Cracks will usually appear on the outside of your property first and later begin to show inside. Cracks can start off as “hairline” cracks which can be mistaken for “settling cracks”, but if it is defective materials causing these cracks they will expand over time. It could take up to 15 years for a property to start showing worrying signs but signs can begin showing much sooner.
Do the cracks follow a certain pattern?
The tell tale and common signs.
Internally: Cracks may appear around window or door frames, horizontally and vertically along walls. Cracks can even appear through wallpaper. If your home is dry lined these cracks will be hidden behind this lining. There may be unexplained damp and mould starting in areas of your house.
Externally: Again cracks will be coming out from the windows and doors, horizontal, vertical, web-like cracking on all sides but especially the ‘weather side’ of the house. The side which gets the most force of the weather. Corners, corner stones and edging around windows and doors will show cracks, footing borders around the base of the house may have cracking, there may be bubbling of paintwork.
Should I touch up my property and fill the cracks?
Unfortunately it would seem that by doing this it may go against you if you decide to apply for the Enhanced Defective Blocks Scheme and when your competent building professional comes to visually inspect your property through a Building Conditions Assessment. If visually your house looks perfect you won’t be able to proceed with your application and your property will be assessed again at a later stage. If you do meet the criteria of the damage threshold (cracks 1mm wide etc.) then you will be able to proceed through the application process.
We are hearing reports from homeowners who have filled the cracks in their property and then have not passed this Building Conditions Assessment (visual assessment). We have heard of people needing to pull this fill from the cracks in their house in order to meet the criteria for the BCA when they’ve been told a representative from the Housing Agency will be calling. If the Housing Agency or Dept. of Housing can shed some light on all of this or explain it or want to rectify any of this information we would very much appreciate it. Until then, this is our understanding of the situation as it stands.
5K Immediate Repairs Grant (Formerly known as Emergency Works grant)
There is an immediate repairs grant of 5k available to apply for repairs needed in an ‘immediate’ situation or to make your property safer. You need to be already registered on the scheme and through stage TWO of the Enhanced Defective Blocks Scheme in order to avail of this Immediate Repairs grant.
Where did your blocks come from?
If your house was built with blocks using certain quarries, the chances of your property being affected are higher.
When was your house built?
Unfortunately there is evidence of homes being built in recent years, even 2020, 2021 with defective materials but the unfortunate reality is that no change has been made to the regulation or overseeing of the manufacturing of blocks used for the construction industry so faulty materials could still be being manufactured to this day. We know of homes that have tested positive for defective materials as far back as the mid 80’s.
If you live in an estate?
- Do your neighbours have any visible, questionable cracks?
- Do any of your neighbours have confirmation that their property contains defective materials with coring, lab testing and an engineers report?
Speak to your neighbours about your fears and ask what they have done or what they hope to do. Please be mindful that some poeple are not ready to talk about or face this yet.
I think I may have a property built with defective materials. What are My Options?
- There is a legal case currently underway with Coleman Legal. You can find more information about this HERE. And/or
- Begin the process of application for the government Enhanced Defective Blocks Scheme
Step 1
Make an appointment with a competent building professonal from the lists HERE. A building professional can be an engineer, architect or building surveyor.
Step 2
The building professional will come to your property to carry out a BCA – Building Condition Assessment following specific criteria.
Step 3
Register with Donegal County Council HERE. When you register on the Donegal County Council Website you will submit the BCA carried out by your building professional. Registering on the Enhanced Defective Blocks Scheme with Donegal County Council does not mean you label your house as having defective materials, only testing will prove this. You can also leave the application process at any stage.
Stage 4
An engineer from the Housing Agency will call to your house to do testing and assessment of your property. They inform the Donegal County Council of their recommended remedation option and the grant amount that will be given for it.
Step 5
Donegal County Council will contact the property owner to inform them of the decision made by the Housing Agency
Step 6
Contact a building professional (same one as in step 1 or a different one). Seek planning permission if needed (building anything in addition to like for like). Your building professional submits a Remedial Works Plan
Step 7
Contact a building contractor for a quote. A list of building contractors can be found HERE. Decide on a quote you are happy with. Request payments for works
Step 8
Other grants can now be applied for eg. Alternative Accomodation 15k, Storage 5k and Immediate Works (emergency works) 5k.
Step 9
When works are completed you need to submit a Certificate of Remediation signed by your building professional along with the request for the final grant payment.
Step 10
For property owners repairing via options 2-5 only – On recept of your Cetificate of Remediation signed by your building professional, The Donegal County Council will issue a Letter of Assurance for remediation other than demolition and rebuild to the property owner.
Please note
1. As of Oct ’23 the Central Bank confirmed they would deem a rebuilt property remortgageble (should you want to sell your home to someone requiring a mortgage to buy it) provided it is built to current standards. The Enhanced Defective Blocks Scheme only allows for a grant that covers up to 2008 regulations only (windows, heating systems etc.)
2. We have been informed by some building professionals that they would not be in a position to sign a certificate of rememdiation unless the building is rebuilt to current standards (in the case of option 1, demolition and rebuild) or safe (Remediation options 2-5) due to repercussions on their own indemnity insurance. Engineers Ireland have Code of Ethics, which may also hold bearing on this.
You can contact the Enhanced Defective Block Scheme Application facilitators for help and guidance throughout the application process. Their details as well as a list of building professionals and heloful guides can be found in our Help and Advice section HERE. We are working on getting more information on many things including video explanations and step by step guides. We we will be adding them to the website as we get them.