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Nearly nine in ten owners of new-build homes support the idea of a ‘snagging retention’, amid a rise in the number of buyers reporting problems with their homes.
Recent figures from the Home Builders Federation show that the number of customers supporting snags increased from 93% in 2015 to 99% in 2018.
Now the HomeOwners Alliance has called for a snagging retention system where buyers withhold funds to housebuilders until they rectify any faults.
It follows a survey by the HomeOwners Alliance and BLP Insurance, conducted by YouGov, which found that 88% of new-build homeowners support such an idea, long with 76% of UK adults in general.
The organisation wants to see homeowners able to hold back a minimum 2.5% of payment until they’re satisfied with their home. The survey results follow the news that Persimmon Homes will be the first to introduce a ‘snagging retention’ of 1.5%.
Kim Vernau, chief executive, BLP Insurance said: “Housebuilders should take careful note of the 88% of new build homeowners who believe that there should be a snagging retention process otherwise they will alienate their core customers.
“Given the widespread publicity of new homes being handed over with significant snagging errors, house builders need to urgently address their quality assurance processes. If the average consumer can draw up a list of errors and problems with their new home, why do qualified professionals fail to spot them? The purchase price of a new home is one of the biggest financial outlays that someone will ever make and they need the reassurance that the final finish is of the highest standard.”
Paula Higgins, chief executive, Homeowners Alliance, said: “More and more buyers of new build homes are being left with an unacceptable litany of ‘snags’ and defects. These can range from poorly secured fixtures and fittings to shoddy tiling to major roof leaks and faulty drainage.
“Our HomeOwners Alliance ‘snagging retention’ campaign will incentivise developers to deliver decent, correctly-finished homes before buyers move in as well as to come back swiftly and deal with any emerging snags or defects. Sadly, money talks – if we want better quality homes, we must let homeowners hold back cash.”
