The New Homes Quality Board (NHQB) launched a consultation on the New Homes Quality Code today (1st October 2024).
This consultation invites feedback from housebuilders, new home buyers, industry stakeholders, and policymakers regarding proposed changes to the Code.
Currently, around 54% of new homes under construction in England, Scotland, and Wales are covered by the Code, giving buyers an independent route for redress through the New Homes Ombudsman Service.
The NHQB introduced the Code in 2022, and committed to regular reviews by an independent council, with a thorough review every three years.
Lewis Shand Smith, chair of the independent Code Council, said: “We started by asking for feedback from stakeholders on the existing Code and on areas that are not, but perhaps should be, included.
“That produced a list of issues which we considered in depth and on which, where necessary, we took advice.
“From there we decided on proposed changes that are the basis for our consultation.
“Modern regulation has shifted from tick box compliance to a much more collaborative system with a strong ethical foundation to ‘treat customers fairly’.
“That is what the NHQB Code is based on and is the core of our review. We look forward to receiving as much feedback as possible on our proposals from all our stakeholders.”
