WA defects sky rocket

WA apartment owners are recording that 68% of their apartments have critical defects, skyrocketing from 60% reported in 2021 and 65% in 2023. WA ranked the highest across all the other States.

AAA’s Apartment Living survey – which spoke to over 1100 apartment owners, asked if the apartments had defects and if so what type.

The highest defect issues were poor waterproofing at 45%, structural cracking (45%) and water penetration from outside (45%).

Ms Reece CEO of AAA stated that recent cases had highlighted the poor oversight in WA during the construction process.

“We have a Megara/Thomas Build and the basement is neither wet or dry,” Ms Reece said.

“The basement has significant water ingress but there is no drainage.  This because the builder is not experienced in apartment construction and the architect failed to specify the basement design requirements.

“This build also has significant structural cracking and it is only just four years old.”

Ms Reece also sited additional projects being investigated by AAA including:

·       OP Properties/Northerly with failed water proofing on balconies

·       Iris Residential/Gowdie non compliant fire alarms

·       Blackburne Property/BGC with cracking glass panes and leaking basement

·       Legacy Homes with effluent discharge into apartments and failed waterproofing

Ms Reece said that these buildings were in some instances less than 12 months old.

“What is evident is that build quality is declining and this will only destroy consumer confidence in the apartment sector.

“NSW is currently in the throes of this confidence crisis with only 500 apartment buildings being constructed per annum when the norm is 1800.  The Building Commissioner has drawn a direct link to defects and a fall in off the plan sales and this is further exacerbating the housing crisis.

“However, unlike NSW, Victoria and ACT – WA is dragging its feet and as a result the level of complaints to DEMIRS has only escalated significantly.”

The Cook Government announced in December 2023 that it would be introducing legislation to mandate inspections during construction and two years on, no further announcements have been made.

“Everyone is aware of the impact on NSW with the lack of construction oversight and we expect that this Government would be more focused on prevention better than cure.”