Across the UK, an epidemic of similar stories reveals a brewing crisis in construction quality. New-build houses are regularly beset with shoddy workmanship. In Croydon, an almost brand-new 35-storey tower is already so riddled with mould and leaks that residents are being moved out for major repairs. Barratt Redrow, one of the UK’s largest property developers, recently uncovered £248m of defects across their portfolio.