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Calls for response: New Homes Quality Code consultation

A consultation into the draft New Homes Quality Code has been published and the NHQB is encouraging as many stakeholders, customers and interested parties as possible to respond.

The Negotiator

A consultation into the draft New Homes Quality Code has been published and the New Homes Quality Board (NHQB) the NHQB is encouraging as many stakeholders, customers and interested parties as possible to respond.

A four week consultation on the New Homes Quality Code is currently underway and professionals from across the property sector are being urged to respond before the closing date on July 7.

The Code, which has been drafted by independent body, the New Homes Quality Board (NHQB), aims to enhance protections for customers buying new-build homes in England, address gaps in existing warranty schemes and drive up overall standards and service. The new framework also includes the introduction of an ombudsman service for future dispute resolution.

Natalie Elphicke OBE, Independent Chairperson of the NHBQ, commented: “The launch of the consultation on the New Homes Quality Code is a major milestone in our work to introduce a new and comprehensive framework of protections for home buyers. I believe that the New Homes Quality Code fills the gaps in existing protections and will to drive up build quality standards and consumer protections. It requires builders to treat their customers fairly, respond quickly to any issues they have, or be subject to referral to the independent New Homes Ombudsman we will put in place.

“I would encourage as many people as possible to complete the consultation and let us have any suggestions they have for how we can improve the draft Code.”

The consultation, which takes around 15 minutes to complete, can be answered anonymously. On closing, the NHQB will consider all representations made and refine the draft code accordingly.

Minister for Rough Sleeping & Housing, Eddie Hughes, added: “As we emerge from the pandemic, it is essential we build back better, improving standards of new housing for current home buyers and future generations. All homeowners should have the confidence that they will be well protected and any issues they encounter will be independently dealt with, which is why the launch of the consultation represents a great step forward for the industry and the home-owning public.

“We will continue to work with the NHQB to complement the government’s plan for legislation on the new homes ombudsman, to resolve disputes and to hold shoddy developers to account.”

June 14, 2021

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