ᐅ Martens in the roof space of a new build? Construction defect?
Created on: 26 Jan 2016 15:17
K
kklausHello everyone,
We have been living in our own home, a mid-terrace house, since summer 2014. Our problem is a marten. We have had this marten issue since the first winter after moving in (2014). At first, we couldn’t identify it—just some scratching and rummaging noises under the sloped ceiling in our daughter’s room, and then nothing for a long time. Last autumn (2015), it happened a few times again, as if something was about to claw through the drywall and OSB panels. That’s when we started researching and concluded that it must be a marten. It appeared again just yesterday.
Reading reports online, this unwanted visitor can cause a lot of damage, and I don’t even want to imagine what the insulation looks like now and how many carcasses have decomposed there! All suggestions for repelling martens using "smells" that need to be placed regularly nearby won’t work for us because the marten moves in an area under the tiles within the insulation, which we cannot access. We also don’t have an attic; it has been converted and now houses the heat recovery unit. Our neighbors don’t have this problem—or don’t notice it—but we are the only ones with dormer windows on the roof, and I imagine this might make it easier or even enable the marten to enter.
Shouldn’t a new house be built in a way that keeps unwanted guests out?
What options do we have with our builder, who casually says that we first have to prove there is a building defect or damage they are responsible for?
Who establishes or can handle this chain of evidence for us?
Would legal expenses insurance and then a lawyer help?
I don’t have the funds at hand to quickly erect scaffolding and hire tradespeople to repair everything and secure the house against re-entry and/or collect evidence.
I have already spoken with building experts, but they are not familiar with these kinds of problems and refer me to pest control or the forestry office. However, martens are protected by conservation laws, and if one is removed, another will come. Also, pest control services are costly, especially since the animal is not regularly present, and this is a building with five units and many access points to the roof for the marten, which certainly increases the expense. Setting traps, inspections, questioning neighbors—who knows?
Help, what should I do, how should I proceed? Something needs to be done!!
Best regards,
Klaus
We have been living in our own home, a mid-terrace house, since summer 2014. Our problem is a marten. We have had this marten issue since the first winter after moving in (2014). At first, we couldn’t identify it—just some scratching and rummaging noises under the sloped ceiling in our daughter’s room, and then nothing for a long time. Last autumn (2015), it happened a few times again, as if something was about to claw through the drywall and OSB panels. That’s when we started researching and concluded that it must be a marten. It appeared again just yesterday.
Reading reports online, this unwanted visitor can cause a lot of damage, and I don’t even want to imagine what the insulation looks like now and how many carcasses have decomposed there! All suggestions for repelling martens using "smells" that need to be placed regularly nearby won’t work for us because the marten moves in an area under the tiles within the insulation, which we cannot access. We also don’t have an attic; it has been converted and now houses the heat recovery unit. Our neighbors don’t have this problem—or don’t notice it—but we are the only ones with dormer windows on the roof, and I imagine this might make it easier or even enable the marten to enter.
Shouldn’t a new house be built in a way that keeps unwanted guests out?
What options do we have with our builder, who casually says that we first have to prove there is a building defect or damage they are responsible for?
Who establishes or can handle this chain of evidence for us?
Would legal expenses insurance and then a lawyer help?
I don’t have the funds at hand to quickly erect scaffolding and hire tradespeople to repair everything and secure the house against re-entry and/or collect evidence.
I have already spoken with building experts, but they are not familiar with these kinds of problems and refer me to pest control or the forestry office. However, martens are protected by conservation laws, and if one is removed, another will come. Also, pest control services are costly, especially since the animal is not regularly present, and this is a building with five units and many access points to the roof for the marten, which certainly increases the expense. Setting traps, inspections, questioning neighbors—who knows?
Help, what should I do, how should I proceed? Something needs to be done!!
Best regards,
Klaus
S
Sebastian7926 Jan 2016 16:00You are always the fool you present and feel yourself to be—or not.
You just want to hear that the contractor will pay nicely—but that’s probably not the answer you’ll get. Instead, you will have to spend money yourself.
Frustrating, no question, but that’s just how it is when you own a house—otherwise, you have to remain a tenant. And the additional complicated situation with the terraced house is not someone else’s fault either; you chose it yourself.
You just want to hear that the contractor will pay nicely—but that’s probably not the answer you’ll get. Instead, you will have to spend money yourself.
Frustrating, no question, but that’s just how it is when you own a house—otherwise, you have to remain a tenant. And the additional complicated situation with the terraced house is not someone else’s fault either; you chose it yourself.
N
nordanney26 Jan 2016 16:13If only you knew where mice can be found and everything they eat.
The money shark doesn’t say more than that (by the way, what is the money shark actually doing?). He’s upset now and prefers to focus on his millions rather than being active here in the forum.
The money shark doesn’t say more than that (by the way, what is the money shark actually doing?). He’s upset now and prefers to focus on his millions rather than being active here in the forum.
Oh, I see how it is! If my question made me look like an idiot, I sincerely apologize—I didn’t realize that only people who already know everything are allowed to ask questions here!
Has anyone had experience with a “new build” where a marten (or similar pest) moved in? If so, I would appreciate hearing about your experience. Does anyone have knowledge of the legal requirements, for example, how a house must be constructed—or if it must be constructed in any way at all—to prevent unwanted animals from taking up residence? Please share only factual information, no personal opinions.
And of course, hope dies last—the hope that gives some legal grounds to avoid paying everything out of pocket. Everyone is entitled to this hope; it would be foolish to give it up and blindly hand money over to the first service provider, only to end up realizing that you were a complete fool.
Has anyone had experience with a “new build” where a marten (or similar pest) moved in? If so, I would appreciate hearing about your experience. Does anyone have knowledge of the legal requirements, for example, how a house must be constructed—or if it must be constructed in any way at all—to prevent unwanted animals from taking up residence? Please share only factual information, no personal opinions.
And of course, hope dies last—the hope that gives some legal grounds to avoid paying everything out of pocket. Everyone is entitled to this hope; it would be foolish to give it up and blindly hand money over to the first service provider, only to end up realizing that you were a complete fool.
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