WOBO thanks CABE for the link to the article by Leanne Sparkes relating to the New Homes Quality Board.

The New Homes Quality Board (NHQB) has published its draft new Code of practice for house builders for a four-week public consultation. The New Homes Quality Code, aims to address the gaps in existing protections for new build customers for which the house building industry has been so heavily criticised in recent years.

The New Homes Quality Code introduces a broad range of additional requirements for builders to fill the gaps in current protections and ensure that every aspect of a new home purchase, from when a customer walks into a sales office, through to two years after occupation of the home is covered.

In particular, it requires builders to have an effective after care service in place to deal with any issues or ‘snagging’ problems customers have with their new home; and a robust complaints process that responds to customers concerns in a timely manner and to their satisfaction, keeping them informed at set times throughout. If a customer is not satisfied with how any complaint they have made has been dealt with, they can refer themselves to the independent New Homes Ombudsman Service.

The Consultation will run for four weeks from June 9 to July 7 2021 and the NHQB is encouraging as many stakeholders, customers and interested parties including Building Engineers as possible to respond. After the consultation closes, the NHQB will consider all representations made and refine the draft code accordingly.

Read in full at NHQB.org.uk.