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Angry residents who have moved into a new development are raising an uproar after the construction company that allegedly disrupted their main sewer line collapsed.
The construction industry downturn claimed another victim on Monday when Perth construction company Hamlen Homes, also trading as Metro Homes WA Pty Ltd, went into voluntary administration.
The company developed the Cadence Estate in the southern Perth suburb of Southern River, where shattered residents say they were left with new homes filled with sewage and a hefty $280,000 bill to clean up the mess.
Homeowners claim they are living in third world conditions due to a poorly constructed sewer line and major blockages in the system allegedly caused by the builder.
They have already shelled out thousands to investigate the blockage and were quoted $280,000 to install a new sewage system. western australia informed.
The collapse of Hamlen Homes has left unfinished work on its new Cadence Estate development, according to residents. In the photo, a house in the Southern River development.
Sewage also overflowed into the stormwater system, which must be pumped out weekly at residents’ expense.
Homeowners have spent the past two years begging the builder to fix the problem, but they say the company denied any wrongdoing.
However, the residents claim they have collected “thousands of pages” of evidence against the builder, including that the main sewer pipe is blocked by concrete.
They were about to take the matter to the State Administrative Court when they learned that Hamlen Homes had gone into administration.
Karen Grigg claimed that she and other owners were left with an unfinished property with sketchy common areas and gardens as she described the unpleasant conditions.
He has resorted to using public toilets, taking short showers, and taking dirty clothes to work.
“We live like it’s a third world country…it’s that desperate,” Ms Grigg told the publication.
“We literally have sewage backing up in our houses, going up in toilets and showers and everything else when it gets too full. It is running out from the inspection points towards the entrances and the road.
The farm stinks and the smell coming from the ground is unpleasant. We have been fighting this for two years and we are desperate.
Daily Mail Australia has attempted to contact Hamlen Homes for comment.
Residents of the Cadence Estate say they have been left with a sewage problem after the builder went into administration this week. In the photo, a house in the new development.
Residents claim a poorly constructed sewer line and major system blockages were (pictured) allegedly caused by builder Hamlen Homes
The son of Mrs. Griggs is also experiencing the nightmare ordeal, who bought a house on the property along with his mother.
Gosnells City Council said it was aware of the blockages in the property’s private sewer lines and had provided advice and assistance to property owners regarding possible corrective action.
Hamlen Homes previously described the Cadence Estate in a 2020 YouTube video as “a unique and affordable sanctuary to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life.”
The company’s Facebook page, which remains online, also features photos of newly completed homes and construction on the property “developed and built with love by Hamlen.”
The development is also highlighted in an artist impression video of the property posted in November 2019.
‘Ticks many boxes: well located; affordable price point; quality and practical designs; high-quality Hamlen constructions; attention to detail to ensure we create a legacy for our clients and community. Perfect for first-time homebuyers, downsizes, and investors,’ the video is captioned.
Perth construction company Hamlen Homes has gone under, leaving behind several active builds and a $50 million urban village (file image)
WA Insolvency Solutions has been appointed administrator of Hamlen Homes.
Hamlen Homes had seven employees, including two directors, according to company reports.
All wages are up to date, yet the workers claim they are owed a pension.
The company reportedly owes $1.4 million to creditors with contractors among those left in the lurch.
“We’re almost $30,000 out of pocket and it’s a battle,” Red Tag Roofing’s Nick Duncan told Nine News.
“I’ve been in roofing contracting for 30 years and this is the worst it’s ever been.”
Hamlen Homes has also received approval to develop a $50 million urban village in Perth’s East Victoria Park called East & Co before closing.
The village included 52 individually designed homes with surrounding amenities and attractions within five miles from Perth CBD.
Hamlen Homes was in the midst of building 18 properties, all of which are now in limbo.
Some of those homes have reportedly been under construction for nearly two years, prompting a flurry of complaints from frustrated homeowners.
They allege that Hamlen Homes rarely responded to their questions, with the company’s sales and administrative employees being the only ones to respond to emails.
The construction company was approved to co-develop a $50 million urban village in Perth’s East Victoria Park (pictured) called East & Co before it collapsed
A client filed a legal action against the construction company after construction on his property failed to progress in four months.
Another man said that Hamlen Homes had not worked on his unfinished house since July of last year.
In response to a complaint, the company claimed that there was a severe shortage of workers and materials available to complete those projects.
Building regulators are understood to have received questions about Hamlen Home’s financial status in the months leading up to the company’s collapse.
Dozens of construction companies have collapsed in Australia in the past two years due to the rising cost of building materials such as timber, exacerbated by the longstanding conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and labor shortages.
At least 94 WA companies went bankrupt between 2021 and 2022, according to ASIC data.