Our family are refusing to come to our newbuild house this Christmas - because bungling builders have left it riddled with defects
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The heartbroken grandparents who discovered their 'botched' dream newbuild was 'only worth £1' claim it's now ruining Christmas too - as loved ones refuse to visit. Dayle Dixon, 53, and Mark Lee, 59, were first-time buyers when they bought the three-bed home in Ivybridge, Devon, for £274,995 in April 2018.
![[The couple were first-time buyers when they bought the three-bed home in Ivybridge, Devon, for £274,995 in April 2018]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/16/15/93199131-0-image-a-1_1734364754625.jpg)
But far from being a place of sanctuary, they were left with a house with more than 500 issues and 'not fit for human habitation' - and so say they may just spend Christmas in bed. The house is riven with cracks, making laying flooring impossible, while the walls are covered in damp and mould - meaning they have to deal with damp mites in their food.
![[Two days before they moved in, Ms Dayle said she reported a hairline crack in the floor, but was told by housebuilder David Wilson Homes, a subsidiary of Barratt Developments, the house was just drying out]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/16/16/87320521-14198325-Two_days_before_they_moved_in_Dayle_said_she_reported_a_hairline-a-5_1734366354943.jpg)
Ms Dayle said: 'The first couple of years we had the tree up but we haven't had a Christmas for five years at least now. 'All the fun has been taken away because nobody wants to come round when you're sat in chaos. 'We loved Christmas and used to have the family over but it'll be just us this year and if we're at home we'll probably be in bed because it's just depressing.
![[The home's living room remains ravaged by damp, more than seven years after the construction firm told them it was 'just drying out']](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/16/16/93199229-14198325-image-a-7_1734366742425.jpg)
'We can't have a family meal with everyone around the table or Christmas presents on the floor because it's wet. Dayle Dixon, 53, and Mark Lee, 59, have been told their newbuild house is now only worth £1. The couple were first-time buyers when they bought the three-bed home in Ivybridge, Devon, for £274,995 in April 2018.
![[Ms Dixon and Mr Lee also claim the constant state of damp in the house has led to an infestation of damp mites - which even get into their food]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/16/16/93199275-14198325-image-a-10_1734367049815.jpg)
