A Case for Recognising Economic Loss in Defective Building Cases

Abstract

The history of a typically defective building may be traced as follows. The building is badly constructed, often because the foundations are too shallow to support it. Soon after this the building is purchased and it may later be sold to a second purchaser. The inadequate foundations gradually shift and cracks appear in the structure and the owner discovers the state of the building. He sues the builder for negligently constructing the building and the local authority for negligently failing to require the builder to conform to the Building Regulations, which require adequate foundations be laid to support the load of the building.