The CIOB has put its weight behind calls for the formation of a New Homes Ombudsman.
Responding to the inquiry from the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Excellence in the Built Environment (APPGEBE), the CIOB has submitted evidence on behalf of members, encouraging the creation of the new body to support customers and improve the reputation of the construction industry.
The inquiry focuses on the growing recognition that consumers have inadequate support to resolve problems they may encounter with new homes.
It also comes at a time when the government appears to have a renewed focus on quality of housebuilding.
The renaming of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government during the recent ministerial reshuffle, alongside recent debates in the House of Lords and Westminster Hall on housebuilding, demonstrates a drive to take housebuilding in the UK more seriously.
Eddie Tuttle, associate director for policy, research and public affairs at the CIOB, said: “Our members strive for excellence in their work and we support any actions that aspire towards higher standards and greater consistency across the construction of new homes.
“Our Royal Charter means that the public are at the heart of our service. Creating a New Homes Ombudsman will not only lead to improvements in the quality of the new homes built, but it will provide the consumers with an independent voice to report problems and get the responses and support they need.”
The CIOB hopes that the creation of the New Homes Ombudsman will improve the quality of new homes by forcing housebuilders to put customer care front and centre with the knowledge that there would be a clear step for customers to complain to an independent party.
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