Oxley Woods Living

Many of you reading this blog will be aware of the open letter sent to Taylor Wimpey, Wood Newton and RSHP last month.

Over 30 properties responded with a “Support Slip 1″, which meant that the occupant(s) of those properties supported the open letter, and also they had at least one outstanding issue with their property. Some people attached covering letters, tales of woe, which really were quite sad to read. I hope that everyone who signed and handed in a support slip 1 are being dealt with better now.

Around 20 properties responded with the “Support Slip 2″, which was showing support for the resident’s letter of complaint. However the residents in these properties had no outstanding issues at the time the letter was sent. I’d personally like to thank everyone who signed and handed in a support slip 2, because it really shows that people here care about the neighbourhood and their neighbours. I’m sure that your support has helped spur Wimpey and Wood Newton into action.

In all we dropped the leaflets and letter through just over 70 houses. So the response was, as we’ve said before, pretty overwhelming. We had no idea how many people were unhappy. Obviously we spoke to a few neighbours before going ahead with the letter to all concerned in the design, manufacturing and sales of our homes, but we didn’t know just how representative a sample they would turn out to be!

We said in a previous post that it seemed like Wimpey and Wood Newton were reacting in their own way to the strength of feeling, and sheer volume of complaints. Talking to more residents, and speaking with Wimpey customer care it seems like things have certainly been stepped up a gear or two.

We were concerned we’d scored some sort of “own goal” in trying to get the best for all residents, as our window report and other issues seemed to be slipping further and further back. But following our meeting with John Green and Nigel Mitchell (Wood Newton and Wimpey) earlier this week our concerns have mostly been addressed there too.

We did receive a response from RSHP as well. However it didn’t really say very much, and had some errors, such as the housebuilder name. I didn’t expect much, but I think I’d rather have heard nothing than something with a real “don’t call us, call the housebuilders” tone to it. Especially when they couldn’t even get the housebuilders name right!

However, there is some good news on that front too. The questions that were put to RSHP were also put to Wood Newton and Wimpey, and Wood Newton (and Wimpey) gave us some answers. A few people wanted to know who was responsible for what. In short, RSHP are responsible for the “concept design”, Wood Newton do the detail design, Wimpey and RSHP sign those off, and then the various manufacturers put the pieces, such as windows, together. Ultimately the buck stops with Wimpey, and Wood Newton.

As mentioned yesterday, Wood Newton have offered some reassurances concerning the problems some of us have suffered, and the looming end of Wimpey’s two year warranty. They wanted to reassure us all that they will look after us. They’ll be around for while yet, and they do want this to work out well for all concerned.

We did drop around another letter asking people how you’re getting on since the letter and support slips were handed in. So far the response has been good, but not that many people have said anything at all. We hope no news is good news, but if you’re still suffering and haven’t had a response from Wood Newton and Wimpey, try again, but also let us know so you’re not missing out on their apparently much improved customer service!