MIDLOTHIAN — After complaining for months, disgruntled homeowners in three Midlothian subdivisions went to City Hall for help Tuesday night.

They say their builder—Choice Homes—won't fix construction-related problems, including cracks in walls, shifting bricks, sagging foundations, high water pressure, and streets with washboard bumps.

"This is not acceptable," homeowner Sherry Freedland told City Council members. "This is affecting the community."

Mayor Royce Whatley said the city is trying to pressure Choice Homes while stiffening its own standards.

"When we identify specific issues and can make a policy change related to these builders and development standards, we do that at the council level," Mayor Whatley said.

Janet Ahmad, president of the consumer group HomeOwners for Better Building, said the owners appealed to the council because they can't get help from the Texas Residential Construction Commission at the state level.

"We have no protection in Texas," Ahmad said. "People are losing hope in getting anything done."

It's unsual for a city to negotiate between homeowners and a home builder. The city of Midlothian has already gone farther than most in talking to Choice Homes.

But Tuesday night, Mayor Whatley said that may soon stop.

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