New homes ombudsman partner revealed

The Dispute Service has been selected to be the independent New Homes Ombudsman, with its group director of resolution Alison MacDougall appointed the ombudsman designate.

The ombudsman is set to provide redress for purchasers of new build homes that are not up to scratch. The Dispute Service was chosen by the New Homes Quality Board following a competitive tendering process and becomes the preferred partner to develop the service.

The ombudsman will enforce a new housebuilding industry code of practice – the New Homes Quality Code - which puts more responsibilities on builders for the service they must provide, particularly after a customer moves into a new home. The new code, which will be published next month, also sets high standards for the handling of complaints.

The service will come online in the new year. Buyers of new build homes who are unhappy with their new home or frustrated with the performance of the developer in handling their complaint will be able to ask the New Homes Ombudsman to review their case. The ombudsman will then rule whether there has been a breach of the code.

MacDougall heads up a team of adjudicators and resolution executives at The Dispute Service dealing with …