Contractor could face legal action over council’s £4.5m care home defects bill
Summary
Westminster City Council is considering legal action after identifying significant bathroom waterproofing defects at its Beachcroft House care home, with remediation costs estimated at up to £4.5m. The council says a waterproof membrane was not installed in shower areas, while the original contractor disputes liability and has not agreed to carry out the remaining remedial works.
Why it matters
The case highlights the importance of clear contract scope, specification compliance and defect diagnosis on newly built residential and care schemes. Surveyors may be involved in identifying latent defects, advising on liability, and supporting remediation and dispute resolution processes.
Key points
- Defects were found in bathrooms at the 84-bed Beachcroft House care home in Maida Vale.
- Issues include leaks, failed wall tiling, toilet, shower and flooring defects, and missing waterproofing membrane/tanking.
- Westminster City Council has approved up to £4.5m for remediation and potential legal action.
- The original contractor disputes responsibility and has not agreed to remediate the remaining bathrooms.
- A surveyors’ technical report and contract review are being used to assess liability and next steps.
This is an RPSA summary of a publicly available article. The full content remains with the original publisher.
