New Build Snags, Spray Foam Insulation, Pension Fraud

Available for over a year

Complaints about new build homes have increased by more than 200 percent over the last 12 months according to the New Homes Ombudsman Service. Defects and snagging issues are at the heart of many complaints, but there are also concerns about the standard of customer service and dispute resolution. A number of homeowners with spray foam insulation have told You and Yours that they are struggling to get mortgages approved. 250,000 people have spray foam insulation in their homes in the UK, but poor installations have resulted in widespread issues with damp and roofing. The government has urged banks not to turn down all mortgages on homes with spray foam, but as more spray foam disasters are uncovered they're becoming increasingly reluctant to lend. Scrolling through social media or YouTube, its impossible to avoid food review videos. A review from these influencers can result in hundreds of bookings for restaurants and can hold more sway than one from a newspaper critic. However, what many people watching aren't aware of is that many of these so-called 'reviews' are paid for by restaurants or PR companies. Last week, the owners of a business that defrauded pensioners of up to £70 million were finally sentenced, ending one of the largest Serious Fraud Office investigations of its kind. Ethical Forestry Limited had hundreds of staff cold calling and offering people a pensions review. They promised to invest it in tree plantations but ended up losing huge amounts of people's money. We'll hear from someone affected and from the investigator that brought the business owners to justice. Presenter: Shari Vahl Producer: Charlie Filmer-Court