HOUSING MINISTER LAUNCHES ENHANCED PROTECTIONS FOR NEW BUILD HOME BUYERS

New Housing Minister Lucy Frazer MP launched the New Homes Quality Code and Ombudsman service at a Parliamentary event today. UK consumers buying a new build home will benefit from increased protections in the event of any issues they have with their property or disputes with their developer, thanks to a new system launched in the House of Commons today.

Over 140 developers are now registered and are working with the NHQB to ready themselves to follow the first builders to go live. The scheme will initially cover England, Wales and Scotland, and ultimately the whole of the UK and those that are signed up to the scheme will display the NHQB and Ombudsman branding. Launch events were held in Cardiff and Edinburgh last week with Welsh and Scottish developers welcoming the reforms.

MPs from across the political spectrum attended the launch to hear how the new measures will support their constituents in improving their consumer rights when buying a new home.

Speaking at the Parliamentary launch event Housing Minister Rt Hon Lucy Frazer KC MP said:

"Increasing homeownership is a key part of the Government’s agenda and delivering a better experience for buyers of new homes across the country is a central part of this.  It was a real pleasure to attend the launch of the New Homes Quality Code and Ombudsman. This is a step-change for homebuyer protection and I would like to thank everyone that has made this possible.”

“I know how much work has gone into delivering this, over a number of years, and I welcome the leadership of the New Homes Quality Board to drive this forward. The sector has a real opportunity to give buyers more assurance and improve the quality of service and build and we would urge them to embrace this opportunity and register with the scheme.”

Natalie Elphicke MP said;

“It has been very worthwhile to be involved in getting these new build reforms off the ground. I have no doubt that consumers and house builders will both benefit from these reforms to the housebuilding sector - to begin to tackle the scourge of shoddy homes, together with a new homes ombudsman to deal with disputes.”

Leon Livermore, Chief Executive of the New Homes Quality Board said;

“I firmly believe that the new framework will drive up standards, improve the experience and increase consumer confidence, providing benefits for consumers and builders alike.”

“Consumers can buy with confidence knowing any issues that do arise will need to be rectified quickly by their builder and that they have the new Ombudsman as a backstop, able to enforce a resolution of the issue if they decide that there has been a breach of the Code.”

Stewart Baseley, Executive Chairman of the Home Builders Federation said;

“The requirements of the new code and framework are hugely challenging for businesses, but the industry is absolutely committed to implementing the proposals and the much greater protections they will provide for its customers.”

“HBF initiated the early work that led to the formation of the independent New Homes Quality Board and continues to be supportive of its work.”

“The new arrangements will deliver a step change in the approach by industry and lead to even higher quality new homes and better customer service.”

“Whilst challenging, the new arrangements will provide all parties, in particular our customers with even more confidence in buying a new build home. Allied to the thousands of pounds buyers save on their energy bills, the protection of the robust new consumer code and access to an independent ombudsman make buying new a really attractive option.”