ᐅ 6-year-old house with cracks in the plaster and broken bathroom tiles – is this considered a construction defect?

Hello everyone,

It took a long time, but we have finally found our dream property.
However, there are a few things that make us uncertain.

The house is 6 years old, so unfortunately the warranty has already expired.
It is a solid masonry house built with Poroton bricks.

On the upper floor, there are noticeably many cracks (on the ground floor, we did not see any cracks). Some of them run straight through the wall.
I have attached two pictures. The crack is on a 17.5cm (7 inch) thick masonry wall. On the back side of this wall is the bathroom. Apparently, the crack caused 3 bathroom tiles to crack.

Are these cracks cause for concern?
The seller said that such cracks are normal in new buildings. He himself was told this when he tried to report it as a defect to the construction company about 2-3 years ago.

Thank you very much

Yes, settlement cracks—masonry does shift over time. Although I find that quite severe when it comes to tiles.

Have you considered getting an expert assessment?

Without assessment by an expert engineer/structural engineer, I would consider this too risky.

aldi1985 schrieb:

Are these cracks a cause for concern?

Usually not, as they are typical settlement cracks.

aldi1985 schrieb:

The seller said that such cracks are normal in new buildings.

Yes.

I have a rented apartment where, even 55 years after completion, cracks appeared on a wall after some work was done outside near the sewer.

Annoying, but more of a "cosmetic defect."

These cracks are quite unusual... however, as a defect in relation to the builder, they are difficult to claim. As a buyer against the seller, though, it's not a problem.

Unfortunately not; what would be the worst-case scenario? Would the wall need to be rebuilt? Or could it even indicate problems with the foundation slab? Surprisingly, as mentioned, there are no cracks on the ground floor.