The Homes Quality Board (NHQB) was established in May 2020 with an interim board setting out "a list of protections for people buying and owning a new home, including proper aftercare and a robust complaints process." Aiming to "fill the gaps in current protections" [big as they are] and ensure that every aspect of a new-home purchase is covered.
The NHQB oversaw preliminary plans, with representatives from across the sector including consumer bodies, developers, providers of new home warranties, the lending industry, Homes England and independent members to tackle these issues.
The NHQB was finally officially launched in February 2021 with responsibility for developing a new framework to oversee the build quality and customer service provided by developers of new homes. Conservative MP Natalie Elphicke, the then chair of the NHQB, said the "powerful new code is a central plank in the work to drive the quality of new-build homes up and strengthen redress for consumers."
Who are members of the New Homes Quality Board?
Since its formation the NHQB has made limited and laboured progress to put in place a New Homes Ombudsman Service and develop a new industry code of practice – the New Homes Quality Code and "has worked closely with the housebuilding industry to "support and help them make the transition to the new arrangements."
Elphicke said she "firmly believes that, while challenging to implement, the new regime will deliver a step change that the industry will ultimately recognise brings huge benefits for both their customers and them”
NHQB said its new Code of Practice will provide the government with the assurance that as they introduce policies to increase housing supply, "the industry will be delivering high standards of quality, service and customer satisfaction."
The advisory body was charged with introducing a new industry code of practice for builders, as well appointing the New Homes Ombudsman Service (NHOS), which will be there to support homeowners in disputes against builders.
The code’s publication follows five years of work to agree a single code and a full public consultation on its initial draft in early summer 2021. It also follows on from the announcement last month that the Dispute Service has been selected as the NHQB’s preferred partner to create and put administer the NHQB’s voluntary New Homes Ombudsman Service.
The NHQB believes it has: "an essential role to play at the centre of the new framework. It will;
- Appoint and oversee the performance of the independent New Homes Ombudsman Service.
- Provide support and information to consumers and industry.
- Hold the register of developers of new build homes.
- Collect an annual registration fee from developers to fund the new arrangements.
- Discipline and sanction poorly performing developers.
- Report and publish details on industry performance."
Only time will tell! To date, progress has been slow at best.
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