Bonus greets couple after leaky home saga

STACY SQUIRES/The Press

DRIER DAYS: Avonhead couple Kathleen Bennett and Graham Hollobon are delighted to be living in a house that is rainproof.

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A long-running leaky home nightmare has come to an end for a Christchurch couple who have finally moved into their dream new house.

Kathleen Bennett and Graham Hollobon were handed the keys to their new Avonhead home on Saturday, along with a surprise $50,000 rebate on the building cost after contractors donated their time and material.

The retired couple's former home was demolished in February because it was damaged beyond repair by moisture.

The home began leaking almost immediately after they bought it for $325,000 in 1993.

However, the couple were not eligible for compensation or an insurance payout.

Their claim was outside the leaky homes claim period.

Bennett said it was fantastic to listen to the rain last week and not run around catching water with buckets. "It's absolutely wonderful," she said. "We lay in bed last week listening to the rain, and felt very, very good."

Bennett said she was moved by the $50,000 rebate, which would go towards paying off the mortgage for the new home.

"It is very moving and very humbling because they do not know us from Adam.

"It will make a huge difference."

Stonewood Homes managing director Brent Mettrick organised the $50,000 rebate after seeing an item about the couple's plight on television.

He wanted to do something to help, and then discovered they had signed up with his company to build their replacement home.

Mettrick then contacted suppliers and contractors, who provided free labour, material and items like heat pumps for the new house. Stonewood Homes donated about $20,000 to the rebate.

Mettrick said he was delighted to present the couple with the cheque on Saturday."It was just nice to see Graham and Kathleen's face when we showed them the cheque," he said.

Bennett said the new home was a keeper.

"This home is lovely and warm and dry," she said.

"It is the house we are going to be very happy in for the rest of our lives."

- © Fairfax NZ News