Double death leaves leaky-home owners in the lurch

The homeowners are now seeking money from the estates of the two dead men, understood to be worth millions of dollars, to pay for fixing their homes.

Developer William Haworth and his son-in-law, builder Russell McQuarters, were co-directors of Huntroyd Developments. They died within two months of each other at the end of 2003, and a coroner ruled both deaths were self-inflicted.

The Sunday Star-Times understands owners of leaky homes had filed proceedings against them.

Local residents say about 40 homes were affected.

National MP Nick Smith said the case was a tragic illustration of the human toll of leaky homes, which had ruined the lives of homeowners and builders.

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