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Written question asked by Jonathan Edwards (Independent (affiliation)) on Monday, 1 November 2021, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 4 November 2021 (named day). It was answered by Eddie Hughes (Conservative) on Thursday, 4 November 2021 on behalf of the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

Housing: Owner Occupation

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of strengthening consumer protections for the owners of new build properties.

Answer

The Government is committed to strengthening consumer protection for the owners of new build homes. The Government is bringing forward provision for a New Homes Ombudsman scheme in the Building Safety Bill, which will improve homebuyer protection and redress. The Bill includes provision to require developers to become members of the ombudsman scheme, which will provide dispute resolution to homebuyers with complaints about their developer, and for a developers' code of practice about the standards of conduct and standards or quality of work expected of members of the scheme.

Housing is a devolved matter and the provisions are for England. We are in discussions with the devolved administrations about the New Homes Ombudsman provisions, and they are considering how this policy might be taken forward in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
67121
Session
2021-22
Transferred
Yes
Subjects
Consumers Construction Housing Protection Owner occupation
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk