ComplaintsforK Hovnanian Homes

• Initial Complaint

  04/05/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  We purchased new construction with this company early in September. We were not able to occupy it until the end of September. Once we were living there, the water company started send us notices that we could potentially have a water leak. I contacted a warranty agent whom I had been working with on other issues to notify them that there was a leak. Meanwhile, I had checked the home inside for leaks and found none. I went out and viewed the water meter and it was running continuously. I turned off the main water valve to me home and it still ran indicating the leak originated from outside the home. I informed the agent of this and he simply continued to stipulate what could be causing the leak. I asked if it could be the sprinkler system. He said he would have someone come by and check it. This was now well into October. The agent never contacted me with the results, I had to call him which was generally the process throughout. He stated someone did come by, but we never saw anyone. I then had to initiate an inquiry as to if the water meter was working. The agent told me to call the water company for them to come out. I did this and they said the meter was working fine; this is now into December and we continued to get water bills saying we were Hsiang 10 gallons per hour. The agent conversed back and forth saying they would contact the plumber to come out and see if they could determine the source of the leak. The plumber did the same thing I did, turned off the main water to the home and confirmed the meter continued to run. He asked where the sprinkler valve was. I did not know so I called the sales agen and she contacted the construction manager who then told me the sprinkler system is not connected to our water system or meter. I contacted the agent again and told him this. His response was, “I have no idea where the leak is coming from”. I asked him why he has not asked the plumber to come and locate it. He was reluctant so I had to insist on it. I January, the plumbers came out, dug down and found the leak In the underground pipe and repaired the leak. Something which should have been done back in October. I asked Khovanian to reimburse me for the additional water that was used during this four month period which was caused by the negligence of the builder. They asked me to contact the water company and said they will adjust my bill, they did not. They then told me to call the plumber, they also refused. I appealed to a Khovanian supervisor who sent my a 1099 form saying I must fill this out to get a refund. I questioned that saying I am not receiving any income, but funds for a loss. I then get an email from him which she’s the warranty does not cover incidental damages and they will not reimburse me. I was forced to pay an additional $280.00 in water bills due to this leak. I understand the warranty stipulation, the the gross mishandling of the claim caused excessive charges. Not to mention the fact that the agent did not even know the sprinkler system was not part of the meter, should have simply had the plumbers come out and check for the leak in the first place. I originally asked for $280.00. I am willing to settle for $230.00 which gives them 30 days to have handled the problem and I would have paid the incidental water excess. I have uploaded the water usage from September, when we were not in the home and Subsequent months when we were showing the difference

  Business response

  04/05/2024

  As explained to the homeowner in writing and over the phone, consequential damages due to defects such as utility bills are not covered. This is also in written form within the contract of the home and Limited Homebuilder Warranty. All notifications are acknowledged and signed by homeowner before closing. 

  Customer response

  04/05/2024

  
  Complaint: ********
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  My complaint is not that they do not cover incidental cost, it is theirs neglect in handling it timely which they are responsible for that ended up costing me money.
  Sincerely,
  
  ****** *******

  Business response

  04/08/2024

  The defect has been completed and repaired. Each request was investigated and repaired when there was evidence of an issue. There is nothing else to be done regarding the repair as everything is now operating as required. 

• Initial Complaint

  03/22/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  We purchased a move- in ready home on a woods preserve lot April 2022 in Four-Seasons a 55 plus community. The extra cost for the lot was 60k. About a month ago we noticed standing water seeping from the woods into our view. We then learned KHOV or their developer pumped ground water illegally into the federal preserve woods as they are building more homes on the other side of the woods. Instead of directing the water into the water basin they flooded the woods. The water has saturated the woods and we now have standing, muddy water for our views and backyards. I feel KHOV sold us these lots for 60k and turned around and flooded them for their new construction they're selling. They know they are in the wrong but since haven't done anything to drain the water. We have stagnant water now that won't drain. It's a health hazard and unsightly. The bugs are now coming and KHOV has essentially devalued our property.

  Business response

  03/25/2024

  My name is ****** ******.  I am the Community Manager for Four Seasons at the Lakes of Cane Bay.  I will respond to this homeowner, but have been in communication with Ms. ***** and so has the landscaping supervisor.  The Developer, K Hovnanian, the Landscaping Supervisor and I have inspected Ms. *****'s home.

  The developer obtained the proper permits from Berkeley County to pump ground water out of the ground into the woodlands, to install drainage pipe in the new phase being developed behind Marina Shores. The water was pumped into the woods behind Seaside. Again, this was county approved work.  The water did overflow from the woods into the common areas behind many of the homes on Seaside Blvd.  Attached is the announcement sent to the community, reassuring homeowners that the standing water was going to be treated for mosquitoes, the landscape vendor would walk weekly and ensure water is draining properly into the drainage grates.  Trenches have been dug in needed areas to ensure drainage, and homeowners have been told that once the ground has dried and any damage to the common areas is assessed.  The Developer will repair and replace any dead plants and sod.  It should also be noted that there was no damage to any homeowner's property.  All flooding was strictly on common ground.

*Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business. ↩