Leaks and mould latest woes for homeowners battling building giant

Winter weather has brought a flood of new problems for homeowners tangled in Western Australia’s BGC housing construction dispute as leaking homes experience an explosion of mould.

Leaks first became a problem in May as the first rains of the season revealed improperly sealed roofs and roof fittings in many of the construction giant’s new builds, some owners say.

Josh Hickey is waiting for a resolution to mould growing in the pantry of his new BGC-built home.Credit: Josh Hickey

A poll of 1200 BGC Housing Group clients – most of whom have joined a $100 million class action suit against the builder – revealed roughly half of respondents have experienced leaks after rain and/or a mould issue.

WAtoday has spoken with eight homeowners who built with BGC and say they have mould problems, but do not want to speak publicly at this time.

The builder’s solution – wait for the mould to dry out, then treat and paint over the infected area – is not sufficient to protect residents’ health, some owners say.

Aveley homeowner Josh Hickey sought a second opinion when told by his site inspector that mould in his pantry could be treated and painted over.

An independent inspector visited the property on Wednesday, telling Hickey the section needed to be cut out and leaking pipes repaired before any treatment.

“It’s very heartbreaking,” he said.

“I have not been able to enjoy my house to the fullest and I’m afraid to touch anything.”

Mould removal expert and Xspor Australia chief executive Graeme Rogers said the nation’s construction crisis and long build times coupled with wet weather had led to an increase in cases of mould.

“Just drying it out in itself is dangerous depending on what they do or how they are drying it out, it is a really dangerous move that just goes to show the lack of understanding of mould,” he said.

“Mould will lay dormant for a long time. You just give it a small amount of water and bang, it erupts.”

But he said there were fast and easy solutions to treat mould.

“I am not aware of anybody having to wait any more than a week, especially in WA, to have somebody come out and do an inspection and give a report on what needs to happen,” he said in respect to disgruntled clients waiting weeks for mould inspections.

Five weeks postpartum with a premature baby, Two Rocks mother of three Jade Arnott should be spending quality time with her family, but instead she’s fighting with BGC over insurance excess costs for emergency roof repairs.

Arnott and her husband John got the keys to their new northern suburbs home in May after signing a contract with BGC Housing Group in 2021.

But it wasn’t long before rain caused a leak through a light fixture in the bathroom.

Jade Arnott and her family had to call for help when rain water started dripping from a light fitting in their home recently.Credit: Jade Arnott

Unable to reach the BGC resolutions team after hours, Arnott rang her home insurer, RAC.

RAC deemed the matter urgent due to the proximity of electrical wiring and attended within the hour to make repairs.

When mould appeared in the laundry, the family was initially advised to simply clean off the mould while awaiting mould treatment and repainting.

“Not what you expect with a brand-new home, five weeks after having a baby – scrubbing mould,” she said.

“BGC have continued to blame our solar panels [for damage which caused the leaks] despite verbally admitting to the leaks prior to those being installed.

“All I want is my $500 [insurance] excess, but they won’t accept any liability and keep deflecting blame.”

Arnott says the mould issue has since been resolved to her satisfaction with treatment and repainting.

In response to pictorial evidence of mould from six clients sent to BGC by this masthead, a spokesperson for the company said its maintenance department was well resourced to respond to all issues.

“Since the start of Western Australia’s wet season this year, only two alleged mould-specific complaints have been received by the maintenance department and any remediation action will be specific to the issues identified in those cases,” they said.

“If customers have an issue with action taken in response to complaints, they of course have the right under the Home Building Contracts Act to lodge a dispute with Building and Energy for an independent assessment.”

The number of complaints made to Building and Energy remains unknown due to limitations under current legislation.

“Building and Energy sympathises with homeowners whose properties are experiencing defects and not up to the standard they expected when they moved in,” a Building and Energy spokesperson said.

“Building and Energy’s complaint resolution service provides an impartial and affordable alternative to court or other types of legal proceedings.”

On Thursday, BGC announced it had launched litigation against a company that supplied leaky pipes used in thousands of new homes.

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