[TimeForChange]

We purchased our home three years ago in The Village of Charlotte. We have been very happy and had minimal problems for the first year that were taken care of by the one year warranty on home. It is a corner lot. For the first two years we had an issue with the back of the home and the fact that we simply could not get the grass to grow. The water would simply stand and not drain properly between our home and the homes behind us and next to us. The landscape company contracted by the builder came out the first year surveyed and told us the angle of the lot was correct but we continued to have problems in the back. The issue was even worse on two of our neighbors homes. They complained and even after their warranty had expired on their homes their builder and the Warranty Dept installed French drains that dumped the rain water into the storm drain system as it should with ours. This involved even boring under their driveways to connect. At the same time I complained again to the Warranty Dept and they refused to help us. In mid May I wrote a letter to Head of the Warranty Dept and included photos of our issue. So far I have not received any response from them. Yesterday we returned home and following the rain the water was standing in our back yard. The lawn is very healthy except for that 10 to 12 ft. wide area that has never been able to accept grass but simply rots and dies. Has anyone else had this issue and what should I do next? I'm thinking of going to an attorney for help.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by TimeForChange

We purchased our home three years ago in The Village of Charlotte. We have been very happy and had minimal problems for the first year that were taken care of by the one year warranty on home. It is a corner lot. For the first two years we had an issue with the back of the home and the fact that we simply could not get the grass to grow. The water would simply stand and not drain properly between our home and the homes behind us and next to us. The landscape company contracted by the builder came out the first year surveyed and told us the angle of the lot was correct but we continued to have problems in the back. The issue was even worse on two of our neighbors homes. They complained and even after their warranty had expired on their homes their builder and the Warranty Dept installed French drains that dumped the rain water into the storm drain system as it should with ours. This involved even boring under their driveways to connect. At the same time I complained again to the Warranty Dept and they refused to help us. In mid May I wrote a letter to Head of the Warranty Dept and included photos of our issue. So far I have not received any response from them. Yesterday we returned home and following the rain the water was standing in our back yard. The lawn is very healthy except for that 10 to 12 ft. wide area that has never been able to accept grass but simply rots and dies. Has anyone else had this issue and what should I do next? I'm thinking of going to an attorney for help.

Before you consult an attorney which is expensive. Read some of these threads on French Drains, which usually are not expensive...And ask Warranty who they would recommend. I know personally of three people who have had this problem solved by warranty.


https://www.talkofthevillages.com/fo...rchid=10783205

[twoplanekid]

I am having a similar issue with drainage between homes in the Lake Deaton area. The warranty dept. says that I should get with the neighbors to reduce water usage. However, water does not drain correctly whether or not if it comes from the sky or the sprinkler system. My warranty period will end in December.

[biker1]

There has been a significant number of french drains installed retroactively in Lake Deaton. Apparently, some french drains were installed initially but were installed incorrectly. In one case I know of, persistence paid off and Warranty did send out a contractor to dig up an improperly installed french drain and properly install a new french drain and the problem was solved. If you are under warranty, and even if you are out of warranty but made a claim against Warranty during the first year, you should be persistent in demanding that they address the problem.

Originally Posted by twoplanekid

I am having a similar issue with drainage between homes in the Lake Deaton area. The warranty dept. says that I should get with the neighbors to reduce water usage. However, water does not drain correctly whether or not if it comes from the sky or the sprinkler system. My warranty period will end in December.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by biker1

There has been a significant number of french drains installed retroactively in Lake Deaton. Apparently, some french drains were installed initially but were installed incorrectly. In one case I know of, persistence paid off and Warranty did send out a contractor to dig up an improperly installed french drain and properly install a new french drain and the problem was solved. If you are under warranty, and even if you are out of warranty but made a claim against Warranty during the first year, you should be persistent in demanding that they address the problem.

I agree. Those drains are not difficult to install and the problem can be solved.

[mixsonci]

I'm having the same problem in Collier. Warranty won't help. My neighbor's house is still under warranty and the warranty people came and dug up his side of the yard (didn't touch mine) and re-seeded his side only (they did not put in a French drain) and his side of the yard is growing again while mine is all dead. There is literally a perfect straight line between our houses where they made sure they didn't dig on my side or add new grass. I refuse to pay for a French drain when it seems like this should have been done originally when so many people seem to have this problem.

[Jayhawk]

Originally Posted by mixsonci

I refuse to pay for a French drain when it seems like this should have been done originally when so many people seem to have this problem.

While I understand your issue, if it should have been done originally you would have paid for it then, in the price of your home.

I am speaking from experience as my neighbor and I are considering installing one between our homes.


Good luck.

[biker1]

If you have standing water between houses (after some reasonable amount of time) then there is a drainage issue that should be addressed by warranty, and has been in other cases.

Originally Posted by Jayhawk

While I understand your issue, if it should have been done originally you would have paid for it then, in the price of your home.

I am speaking from experience as my neighbor and I are considering installing one between our homes.


Good luck.

[billybye]

This is a good example that we are not dealing with the Morse family of the past.
In the past a lot of money was spent by the Morse family to keep everyone happy, even if it was not their responsibility. I have heard of a lot of situations where the homeowner should have been responsible, but TV took care of problems people had because they did not want any bad publicity.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by billybye

This is a good example that we are not dealing with the Morse family of the past.
In the past a lot of money was spent by the Morse family to keep everyone happy, even if it was not their responsibility. I have heard of a lot of situations where the homeowner should have been responsible, but TV took care of problems people had because they did not want any bad publicity.

I think that is incorrect and inflammatory. I think Gary Morse died a few months ago.

Here is a link to some theads on this issue that I posted above;

.https://www.talkofthevillages.com/fo...rchid=10784617

I personally know of two drainage issues that were corrected in the last year. They know how to fix these things and in every case I personally know of they did. Even if it was past the year date. Don't talk to the builder or landscaper, talk directly to warranty. They are connected to the people who pay the builder and the landscaper.

[biker1]

The problem is that warranty will tell you that you must get this OK'd by the builder. They will also tell you to talk to the landscaper. The people you first talk to at warranty appear to have little authority to OK the remediation of these sorts of problems. If your builder is not cooperating then you need to escalate the problem.

Originally Posted by graciegirl

I think that is incorrect and inflammatory. I think Gary Morse died a few months ago.

Here is a link to some theads on this issue that I posted above;

.https://www.talkofthevillages.com/fo...rchid=10784617

I personally know of two drainage issues that were corrected in the last year. They know how to fix these things and in every case I personally know of they did. Even if it was past the year date. Don't talk to the builder or landscaper, talk directly to warranty. They are connected to the people who pay the builder and the landscaper.

[hulahips]

To be honest, I doubt you will get any help. I don't think the villages cares once the house is sold. I can say this based on a recent experience we had. We were about to purchase a home on the wetlands we fell in love with. Since my husband and I are experienced, we knew to check everything. So after rain we checked the home thoroughly. We discovered water was sitting on the front lawn in huge puddles (we even took pics to forward to warranty). It was really bad and a major concern for us. Well bottom line after many attempts to get the villages to repair it from both us (the buyers) and the seller, they refused to do anything and the house was still under the one year warranty. We refused to buy, deal fell through. Check any new potential home you are thinking of purchasing after rain storms. Also water was sitting on the lanai and not draining off.

[Challenger]

Originally Posted by hulahips

To be honest, I doubt you will get any help. I don't think the villages cares once the house is sold. I can say this based on a recent experience we had. We were about to purchase a home on the wetlands we fell in love with. Since my husband and I are experienced, we knew to check everything. So after rain we checked the home thoroughly. We discovered water was sitting on the front lawn in huge puddles (we even took pics to forward to warranty). It was really bad and a major concern for us. Well bottom line after many attempts to get the villages to repair it from both us (the buyers) and the seller, they refused to do anything and the house was still under the one year warranty. We refused to buy, deal fell through. Check any new potential home you are thinking of purchasing after rain storms. Also water was sitting on the lanai and not draining off.

I do think that the Villages cares. Have had two new homes here in last 5 years. in both cases the Warranty Department has been very understanding and promptly responsive. In several cases their service went beyond what would have been expected.

[applesoffh]

I live in the Village of Charlotte. I had no drainage problems until they put down the slab for my next door neighbor's house, then it was a problem every time it rained (I was already out of warranty when this occurred). I called Warranty, sent photos as requested, and nothing was done. Warranty said it wasn't sending anyone out as my house was out of warranty. When my neighbor finally moved in I asked her to call Warranty, which she did. They came out immediately but would not install a french drain. They put in a dry well half way down our houses (there's a villa wall in the back of both houses). Warranty stated that french drains were too expensive and this was their solution. While we no longer have a wading pool between the houses after rain, neither of us is thrilled. Warranty is unresponsive, as they claim the problem has been addressed and solved. In spite of what some state, the Warranty Department pretty much washes their hands with homeowners after one year (unless there's a widespread issue, like shingles on some older houses, or bad concrete on others).

[redwitch]

I think Warranty does a great job except for lawn/landscaping issues. The warranty for that is 30 days and the women manning the desks pretty much have their hands tied. Occasionally, you can get them to do something but it does take an inordinate amount of phone calls. Not a lot of fun on either side.

The best thing you can do, as advised by hulahips, is walk around the property after a heavy rain. Bring it to the attention of the builder at the initial walk-through. The more you can prove drainage was an issue from the very beginning, the better your chances of getting something done, whether a French drain, resodding, replacing plants or whatever.