Housing watchdog will support distressed homebuyers
The government has launched an eight-week consultation on what a proposed new homes ombudsman should look like.
Back in October the housing ministry said it would legislate to require all new developers to belong to a new homes ombudsman after a flurry of customer complaints about the quality of their new homes.
According to housing ministry statistics, 99% of people who bought a new home in 2017-18 reported a snag or a defect to the builder – up from 91% in 2011-12.
Now a new homes ombudsman is being set up to hold developers to account for selling shoddily-built residences and the government wants feedback on the scope of the new body – including whether there should be more than one new ombudsman.
Decisions yet to be made include on whether a code of practice should be underpinned in statute, and on how to enforce the requirement for developers to belong to a new homes ombudsman.
Those who respond to the consultation are also able to offer their view on whether self-builders, and developers who convert and sell properties, should be required to belong to a new homes ombudsman.
This comes as housing secretary James Brokenshire revealed access to the revised Help to Buy scheme, which will replace the current version in 2021, could be restricted if builders do not meet set quality standards.
Readers can participate in the consultation here.
No comments yet