I have seen plenty of so-called freestanding bathtubs beside a wall which look unnecessarily bothersome to clean around in that you'd have to be leaning over it chasing any splashes around with a mop.

In the picture you posted there is a gap for water to flow down but literally no space for a mop.

And the bathtub is supporting a screen.

Have you purchased the property? Have you had it inspected? If the builder is willing to sell a property with an obvious flaw like that I'd be wondering what else he's done.

I think that your builder will argue it is not a defect if it is properly tiled and waterproofed, it is just a really bad choice for ongoing cleaning and maintenance.

Best of luck

Dr Retro

of Dr Retro House Calls

I think the 90 day maintenance period has existed for a long time, but defect legalities are different and I'm not sure what the situation is these days or in different jurisdictions. I do know everyone tries to refer you to 'someone else'.

What is the situation with the building inspections, did the builder do that or did you arrange any independent inspection before purchase? Oh, I just realised that you have not moved in yet but you have been talking to the builder about it for nearly two months. Have you made the final payment?

"my first home! and i have no knowledge in plumbing carpentry..waterproofing..tiles.. etc *sigh*"

Independent pre-purchase inspection.

There should have been inspections at various stages during construction too. Do you know who does those? Here it used to be the government but now it is done by private inspectors. I noticed a previous reply asked about 'local council building inspectors'? I'd really want to know if the room has been waterproofed properly.

You will never have as good an opportunity to remedy something as before you move in. We endured repairs to waterproofing after moving in.

Talk to your neighbours. Perhaps they are getting the same lack of cooperation and if you get together you can apply more pressure on the builder. Or if all you want is to silicone around the gap, do it yourself. I suppose that would solve the immediate dilemma of water being trapped in an inaccessible place. I'd still be nervous about a bathtub not installed to suit its design though. Also, have you spoken to the solicitor who did your conveyancing?

"private inspectors" do we need to hire them?"

Someone inspects the construction at various stages to make sure it is done in accordance with the building code and the plans and so on. So for example you can't see the waterproofing because it is tiled over, but you'd hope the building inspector checked that it was done properly before the tilers started tiling over it.

Of course there are some things which are no longer visible once all work is finished, but a pre-purchase inspection can still tell you a lot about a building. When we sold our old house the buyers arranged their own inspection. That means the building inspector works for them and is answerable to them. A property purchase is the biggest investment most people make. I would always pay for an inspection, even for a brand new building.

"i meant to have the separate shower too but here it is showrr with the bathtub."

Are you saying you did not get what is shown on the plan or is in the contract?

It's a steep learning curve, buying a property. :-(

As an old lady with bad knees, the difference between a separate shower and a combined bath-shower is huge to me.

Jenny Yun, you need to check back on your original plans/marketing brochure. If they show a separate shower to a bath that is what you thought you were buying. A builder can't change from having a shower and a bath to having a shower over a bath without contacting the buyers. Get your solicitors advice if the builder has made this change without going through the proper channels.

A Certificate of Occupancy certifies that a home can be lived in. It is a requirement of most local government councils that an occupancy certificate be issued prior to the purchaser of a home taking occupation.

If I were you I would be getting my solicitors to confirm about the Certificate of Occupancy before moving in and asking some questions about drainage and mould growth under the bath. Your solicitor should represent your interests, and knows what the law says, so they should be helping you. It is such a pity you have already settled - I hope it is not too late. If there are a lot of apartments with the same problem you may need to consider a class action if you can't get proper rectification from the builder.

Best of luck,

Dr Retro

of Dr Retro House Calls.