Water tight at last

Our Sydney apartment is finally water tight. After more than four years of work locating and repairing leaks we’ve been advised that the work has finished. Earlier this month replacement carpet was installed. Getting everything to this point has been an excruciating process. Years of chasing the developer and strata managers, while watching endless attempts to identify and repair leaks had left me wondering if we’d bought a lemon.

At the time we purchased the property (five years ago next month), we knew we had a problem in the main bedroom. However, within a year of moving in, we encountered new leaks on the opposite side of the building. In the years since at least three separate faults had been found and rectified. In fact, when I inspected the apartment last April I was astounded by how extensive the repairs had been. In many respects, I’m relieved we weren’t living there. I’m sure the disruption would have driven Garry insane.

The first leak five years ago

First, we endured a torturous process to secure the developer’s agreement to pay its share of the replacement carpet cost. They’d originally agreed to do this. However, leak repairs took so long that the building was no longer covered by a statutory warranty and thus a dispute over who was responsible for which cost. In New South Wales, the developer remains liable for the repair of structural flaws for six years after completion. We bought the apartment at the end of its fourth year.

Securing insurance for the damaged carpet was an equal nightmare. Our first attempt to process a claim coincided with some of the worst flooding New South Wales had seen in a decade. It was almost impossible to get through to an agent for weeks on end, compounded by the tyranny of time zones. After finally making contact we were told our policy wouldn’t cover the damage. Garry had the decision successfully reversed after yet another round of calls.



Finally, selecting the correct carpet was also fraught with problems. The length of the entire process meant that carpet samples we’d viewed three years ago differed from those quoted on for insurance purposes. Weeks of frustrating emails and late night calls were required to finally agree on the style, quality and composition of the replacement carpet. We eventually selected a light dusty brown shade called Nutmeg. Yesterday we heard that it’s all been laid and everyone is happy.

Five years after we first discovered the first bedroom leak our apartment is finally water-tight. Long may it last!