NHOS signs MoU with Housing Ombudsman

The New Homes Ombudsman and Housing Ombudsman Service have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which sets out how the two bodies will work with each other.

The MoU, establishing a structure for “co-operation and communication” between the two bodies and their respective functions, recognises that the New Homes Ombudsman (NHOS), which launched alongside the New Homes Quality Code in October 2022, is “at present” a voluntary scheme for new build developers. But the MoU is based on provisions within the Building Safety Act 2022 and the Housing Act 1996.

It describes the roles and responsibilities of each organisation, clarifying any overlap between the two entities “to ensure complete transparency, and that it is clear to both parties which complaints they investigate”.

The NHOS, an independent body, will provide consumer redress if a dispute arises between a developer and new build home owner. It was developed to address gaps in existing redress arrangements for owners of new build homes, mainly freeholders and private leaseholders.

This dispute service is available to qualifying customers buying new homes from developers registered with the New Homes Quality Board (NHQB). According to the MoU, the NHOS is likely to move to …