The government will set up a new independent ombudsman to protect homebuyers who are faced with shoddy building work in their new homes.
Under new rules, rogue builders will have to pay compensation for shoddy work, with the ombudsman enforced in law “as soon as possible”.
The New Homes Ombudsman help homebuyers with issues from sloppy brick work to faulty wiring – and will have statutory powers to award compensation, ban rogue developers from building, and order developers to fix poor building work.
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Where people are in dispute with developers, it will also act to resolve any issues. Meanwhile, new measures have also been confirmed that make sure all homes sold under the future Help to Buy scheme meet higher standards, with a greater emphasis on quality.
Housing secretary Robert Jenrick said: “It’s completely unacceptable that so many people struggle to get answers when they find issues with their dream new home.
“That’s why the Ombudsman will stop rogue developers getting away with shoddy building work and raise the game of housebuilders across the sector.
“Homebuyers will be able to access help when they need it, so disputes can be resolved faster and people can get the compensation they deserve.
“Currently, homebuyers who purchase new builds have no independent way of challenging developers’ service or poor workmanship.
“Today’s news will give people buying a new home the confidence they need that when they get the keys to their home, they are getting the quality they expect.”
