The creation of a New Homes Ombudsman service to protect homebuyers from poor building work has moved a step forward with the launch of an interim organisation.
The New Homes Quality Board, which launches today, will have responsibility for the standards of new build homes - and for helping consumers get redress for any problems.
It will include representatives from the housing sector and consumer groups and will be chaired by Conservative MP Natalie Elphicke.
The board will agree a process to set up the full Ombudsman service and will oversee the creation of a “new comprehensive and robust industry code of practice” for those involved in the construction, inspection, sale and aftercare of new homes.
The Government wants the ombudsman service - which could be in place by early next year - to help buyers affected by issues from poor wiring to defective brickwork. The service will be able to ban rogue developers, award compensation and get problems fixed.
The ombudsman service will be paid for by the building industry and will once established be free to consumers.
Ms Elphicke said: “I am committed to ensuring that the new arrangements will deliver a step change in the quality of new homes and customer experience.”
Stewart Baseley, executive chairman at the Home Builders Federation, said: “The move demonstrates the commitment of the industry to providing buyers with absolute confidence in their builder and the quality of their new home.
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“The new body will help ensure that the steady improvement in the quality of new build homes we have seen in recent years continues.
“Customers will be reassured that in the instances where they do have issues with their new home, they will have recourse to a fast, effective independent dispute resolution service via an ombudsman.
“The new robust arrangements will provide a huge challenge for builders but the industry fully recognises the need to deliver, and we will.”
Nicola Barclay, chief executive of Homes for Scotland, said: “We are delighted to see this progression, which reinforces our determination to ensure a high-quality home for each and every purchaser.”