New home buyers are being urged to demand more protection from rogue builders as the government pushes to build 1.5 million new homes in just five years.
Experts fear a ticking time bomb of shoddy new builds as thousands of new homes are built. A shocking 32% of people already think new build homes are ‘poor-quality’, and many fear this could get even worse.
New Homes Ombudsman Wants Power To Act
Right now, if something goes wrong with your brand new home, you might struggle to get help. That’s because joining the New Homes Ombudsman scheme is currently optional for builders.
The New Homes Ombudsman steps in to resolve disputes between homeowners and builders. It can force developers to fix problems and pay compensation.
But in its first ever annual report, the Ombudsman revealed a worrying fact: most smaller builders haven’t signed up. That means buyers of these homes may be left high and dry if things go wrong.
Government Urged To Protect Home Buyers
The Ombudsman, Jodi Berg OBE, has called on the government to make joining the scheme compulsory for all builders. She argues everyone deserves protection, not just those who buy from big developers.
“While we’ve made significant strides in our first year, it is crucial that all homeowners receive equal protection against poor-quality new housing,” she said.
Small Builders Could Get Help With Costs
There are concerns that forcing smaller builders to join the scheme could be costly. However, the Ombudsman insists that pricing structures should be set to make it affordable for everyone.
Almost Two Thirds Of New Homes Covered By Scheme
The good news is that around 90 of the biggest developers, responsible for building 55% of new homes, are already signed up to the scheme. Another 91 are in the process of joining. This would bring the total number of homes covered to between 65% and 70%.
But with thousands of new homes being built, that still leaves a lot of buyers potentially unprotected. So, if you’re thinking of buying a new build, make sure you ask your builder if they’re signed up to the New Homes Ombudsman scheme.