What Is a Defect vs General Maintenance? A Simple Guide for Shared Owners in Kent

Moving into your new shared ownership home in Kent and Sussex is an exciting milestone. Everything is fresh, modern and ready to make your own. But as with any new build, it’s normal to spot a few quirks in the early days — a cupboard door that doesn’t close quite right, a patch of sealant that needs tidying, or a tap that drips overnight. That’s where understanding the difference between a defect and general maintenance becomes important.

Many shared owners assume that reporting any issue during their first year is similar to living in a rented home, where the landlord is responsible for most repairs. However, shared ownership is a form of homeownership, which means you are responsible for looking after your property — unless the issue falls under warranty.

When should I report snags?

We strongly recommend carrying out a full inspection of your home within the first seven working days of moving in. Making an early snagging list helps ensure anything that should be dealt with under warranty is captured quickly and passed to the New Build Defects team (NBDT) or contractor. If you’re unsure whether something is a defect or maintenance, it’s better to log it early so it can be assessed — it’s much easier to raise it now than later. You also have an end of defects inspection carried out with the NBDT when your defect period is coming to an end. This is the best opportunity to log any last defects that may have occurred during the defect period.

Examples of Defects (Usually Covered Under Warranty)

These are issues caused by poor installation, faulty materials or failure within the warranty period:

• A leaking pipe under the sink where fittings were not sealed properly
• A window that won’t lock or open due to misalignment during fitting
• Cracked or hollow-sounding floor tiles that were poorly laid
• Electrical sockets that don’t work or flicker intermittently
• A front door that doesn’t close or latch securely
• Extractor fans not wired correctly or not venting as they should
• Heating not working due to system failure rather than settings

If something wasn’t fitted correctly or fails unexpectedly, it’s more likely to be classed as a defect. These should be reported to the NBDT during your defect period so they can be passed to the builder or contractor to put right.

Examples of General Maintenance (Homeowner Responsibility)

These are normal wear-and-tear or household upkeep tasks:

• Replacing internal light bulbs or batteries in smoke alarms
• Bleeding radiators to balance heating
• Tightening loose cabinet handles or hinges over time
• Removing mould build-up caused by not ventilating bathrooms
• Fitting blinds, shelves or picture hooks
• Touching up paint scuffs or accidental scratches
• Minor hairline cracks from settlement as the property dries out

If it’s something that would naturally need doing in any home, regardless of age, it’s usually considered general maintenance rather than a warranty issue.

Owning a home — even through shared ownership — comes with responsibility. The NBDT is here to support you with genuine defects, but routine upkeep sits with you as the homeowner. By knowing the difference between a snag and general maintenance, you’ll save time, reduce stress and keep your new Kent home in great condition for years to come.

If you’re ready to report a defect or want advice on what to log, get in touch with the NBDT— we’re here to help you make the most of your new home.