Avant Homes Yorkshire Newbuilds Leave Homeowners Freezing Through Winter

Homeowners of newbuild properties in Yorkshire have reported severe cold and insulation problems that have left them unable to live comfortably in their homes during winter months. The issues have sparked fresh concerns about the quality standards of modern newbuild construction across the UK.

According to a recent BBC investigation, multiple homeowners who purchased properties from Avant Homes in Yorkshire have experienced significant problems with heat retention, leading to unbearably cold living conditions and spiralling energy bills.

Living in Arctic Conditions

Rav Sispal, a software developer who purchased his newbuild from Avant Homes in North Yorkshire for £450,000 in March 2023, told the BBC that his health problems became so severe he was forced to move out during winter for two consecutive years. The cold conditions in his home triggered asthma symptoms and caused chilblains on his feet.

The problems began immediately after moving in, with Sispal reporting leaking windows that allowed water to pool and drip through the property during storms. He described waking up at 5am during thunderstorms to place towels down as water leaked through window frames and travelled down to his bedroom.

Beyond the water damage, which has caused his floorboards to lift and bow permanently, Sispal reported the most distressing issue was the extreme cold. Despite the property being marketed as energy efficient, he described temperatures dropping to 6 degrees Celsius inside the house, with heat escaping rapidly. The floor in his office felt cold and wet to the touch throughout the day, making working from home nearly impossible.

A Pattern of Problems

Olga Ellis, who purchased a similar Avant Homes property in South Yorkshire for £214,000 in 2018, reported comparable issues. She told the BBC that whilst there were initial snagging problems in the first year, the real concern emerged during the winter months when she discovered the house would simply not warm up despite high central heating bills.

Ellis described the experience as particularly stressful given that she had previously lived in older homes that were well insulated. The cold has prevented her from having guests round, including her mother who is in her 80s. She has now decided to take legal action against the developer.

Expert Analysis Reveals Construction Flaws

Both homeowners commissioned Paul Buckingham, a thermographer and expert witness, to conduct thermal smoke tests on their properties. The tests involved releasing non-toxic smoke into the kitchen with doors sealed, then observing where it escaped. The results were revealing, with smoke emerging from under guttering, out of air bricks and around windows, indicating poor sealing and insulation.

Buckingham warned about the broader implications for government climate targets, noting that if 1.5 million houses are built to these standards with significant energy leakage, it would undermine efforts to reduce carbon emissions and gas consumption. He emphasised the need to build properties that are properly airtight, well insulated and sealed to bring energy consumption down.

Arnold Tarling, a chartered surveyor specialising in building defects and heat loss, explained that modern construction methods may be contributing to the problem. He pointed out that many modern buildings use plasterboard attached to walls with small dobs of plaster, leaving an air gap between the plasterboard and brickwork. This method, known as dot and dab, should have the plasterboard sealed around the entire perimeter to prevent air, smoke or fumes from escaping, but this is often not done correctly.

Tarling also raised concerns about the relationship between regulatory bodies and developers, suggesting that the system is too closely connected to protect purchasers effectively.

Developer Response

An Avant Homes spokesperson stated that their houses were energy efficient and built to National House Building Council (NHBC) standards on thermal performance. Regarding Sispal's property, they confirmed replacing the Velux windows in their entirety after multiple repair attempts proved unsatisfactory. The company stated they were liaising with Sispal and the NHBC to resolve issues relating to the bedroom and garage ceiling, but noted that he had not yet agreed to access dates to allow the required works to be completed.

For Ellis's property, Avant Homes confirmed that works identified through an NHBC resolution had been carried out and inspected to the satisfaction of the NHBC. They stated they were arranging joint visits with Ellis's representatives to agree on the scope of any further works required.

Industry Defence

Steve Turner, executive director of the Home Builders Federation, defended the industry by noting that the majority of newbuild buyers were happy with their homes and customer satisfaction levels were at record highs. He emphasised that newbuild homes are constructed to rigorous standards ensuring quality, safety, energy efficiency and structural integrity, with air tightness tests conducted on all new home designs.

Turner highlighted the protections available to newbuild buyers, including builder guarantees, 10-year structural warranties and access to the independent New Homes Ombudsman Service.

The NHBC confirmed it had assisted both homeowners through its resolution service. A spokesperson stated that building regulations were set by government and that builders were required to ensure homes complied with these regulations during construction. They noted that factors like flooring, window coverings and heating system usage could affect how warm a home feels.

The Importance of Professional Snagging Inspections

These cases highlight the critical importance of thorough snagging inspections for newbuild properties. Many defects relating to insulation, air tightness and weather sealing may not be immediately apparent during initial viewings but can have serious implications for comfort, health and running costs.

Professional snagging inspectors can identify potential problems with insulation, air gaps, window sealing and other construction issues before they become severe. Early detection allows homeowners to ensure problems are addressed whilst still covered under warranty periods, avoiding the stress and expense of lengthy disputes with developers.

For homeowners who cannot afford professional inspections, using a comprehensive snagging checklist can help identify obvious defects, though thermal imaging and smoke tests may be necessary to detect hidden insulation and air tightness problems.

Source: BBC News, "Cold means I can't live in my newbuild in winter" by Grace Wood and Spencer Stokes, published 9 January 2026