New Homes Quality Board launched

An interim New Homes Quality Board has been launched as the industry takes another step towards the creation of a new homes ombudsman.

The new independent body, with MP and new homes quality champion Natalie Elphicke as interim chair, will have responsibility for the quality of new build homes and consumer redress.

The interim board, which comprises representatives from across the sector, will:

• oversee the composition and appointment of a permanent board
• complete, consult on and adopt a new industry code of practice that will place more stringent requirements on all parties involved in the construction, inspection, sale and aftercare of new homes
• agree a process to appoint a new homes ombudsman service to adjudicate against the new code

The board will contain a mix of representatives of consumer bodies, housebuilders, warranty providers, lenders and independents such that it will not be dominated by any one group.

The government has said that it expects the industry to implement comprehensive new measures to ensure further improvements and consistency in the quality of new homes, better customer service and strengthened consumer redress as a matter of urgency. The new board will be seen as another step towards this.

The ambition is that a permanent chair and board …