Natalie Elphicke: The benefits to the industry of the new homes ombudsman - Housebuilder

Natalie Elphicke OBE, Chief Executive of the Housing & Finance Institute, writes for Housebuilder.

"The decision to buy a new home is one of the most important decisions people will make in their entire life. Home buyers expect high standards of a new home. That is what must be delivered – not most of the time, but all of the time.

"While most new homes are built well, built with care and with the new homeowner at its heart, that's not always the case. As a result, some people are left unhappy with the end result, and unhappy about their ability to secure effective resolution of complaints and concerns after they move in.

"All major political parties have expressed grave concerns about the extent to which the delivery of new homes doesn't always match the new homes sales pitch as well as redress gaps that exist in the current structure. This means that consumers don't have access to the same type of modern, independent, impartial redress that is available in other sectors and industries.

"As a result, politicians of all stripes are looking at bringing forward extensive legislation around housing, including establishing a new system of building standards and consumer redress, should it be required. The Queen's Speech 2019 announcements confirmed the Government's commitment to the statutory underpinning of a New Homes Ombudsman – all developers will be required to belong to the New Homes Ombudsman which will provide fair and impartial redress, free to the consumer..."

Click here to read the article in full.

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