A father was left shaken when plaster plummeted from a wall into his helpless toddler’s cot as she laid down.
James Dean from Markfield in Leicestershire was ‘devastated’ when plaster fell into his two-year-old’s bed after cracks began emerging on her bedroom wall.
Fortunately, the youngster was uninjured following the ordeal.
The distraught parent alleged a poor drainage system – where pipes were not connected led to rainwater trickling into the foundations of his home – were to blame.
As a result, he claims a gaping crack began to sprawl through his home with a new one appearing ‘ever day’.
The crack in the front right of the property was confirmed to be due to ‘incorrectly constructed drainage’ according to a letter from National House Building Council.
Mr Dean was left distraught when plaster plummeted from a wall into his helpless two-year-old toddler’s cot (pictured) as she laid down
She was not injured in the ordeal however her father has said it was caused by cracks (pictured) in the wall which he alleges are a result of a poorly constructed drainage system
Mr Dean is adamant the house built by Jelson Homes ‘should be condemned’, stating errors in the original construction are currently ‘a major issue’.
‘There was a drainpipe on either side of the house, the one on the right was never put into the drainage,’ he alleged.
‘Over eight years [since it was built by Jelson] all the rainwater has gone into the foundation and into the wall.
‘They have removed the one on the right-hand side and are going to replace it. They have taken the pipe, so when it rains it just overflows.’
Mr Dean is also less than happy with the response of the National House Building Council to his complaints.
After the worried parent contacted the organisation regarding his property woes they responded via a letter, seen by LeicestershireLive.
They told Mr Dean he should position his tot’s cot away from the cracking wall, adding that whilst unappealing aesthetically, there was no sign of ‘a serious issue with structural stability’.
Mr Dean said: ‘When [the NHBC] first came round they were umming and ahhing about “does a 50 pence coin fit in the crack?”.’
‘They sent a chap around, and I said “are my daughters safe?”. He laughed at me and said of course they are.
‘The response to me was the most upsetting thing – “just move the cot”.’
The distraught father said he fears to his family’s safety, adding the property has caused the family as a whole a great deal of stress since they moved in October 2022 (pictured: the crack in the wall)
The upset father alleged the ordeal has caused him and his family a great deal of stress since moving into the home in October 2022.
‘I feel every day there is a new crack appearing, damp appearing, there’s nobody that will listen,’ he said.
Explaining that he wants to do a house swap, Mr Dean complained no one is trying to resolve the ‘fundamental’ issues with the house.
‘I just do not feel safe in this house, my wife doesn’t for the kids either,’ he added.
An NHBC spokesperson said: ‘We appreciate that a house is the biggest single investment many people will make and understand how frustrating it can be when things are not right.
‘NHBC does not build properties, however, we are the largest independent, warranty and insurance provider for new-build homes.
‘NHBC’s ten-year warranty and insurance policy for new-build homes, known as Buildmark, protects homeowners in the event of serious structural defects, for example, structural problems with walls and roofs.
‘We are in contact with the owner with regards to this claim and are working to resolve matters in line with the provisions of their Buildmark policy.’
MailOnline has approached Jelson Homes for comment.
