The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) inquiry into the quality of new-build homes recommendations included the creation of a New Homes Ombudsman to require developers to produce a home-information pack and give buyers a right to inspect and survey their property before financial completion.

These recommendations are supported by the 2016 Homeowner Survey, which found that 58% wanted a survey as a quality check before buying a new home.

“‘The MPs recommendations are spot on,” Paula Higgins, Chief Executive of HomeOwners Alliance, stated.

Paula added that people were often having the most appalling time trying to get their new home fixed and a lot of this is due to the rush to build quickly.

“New home buyers must have the right to inspect their home and to get a full building survey before the keys are handed over.

“This will be a practical step to encourage builders to deliver homes to their customers and not their shareholders.”

Paula felt that buying a new home should mean years of worry-free ownership, but that was not always how it turned out.

“A new Homes Ombudsman should help to support owners to get their faulty home fixed.

“We have also issued today a practical guide on how to get things fixed in your new home.”

Kim Vernau, Chief Executive Officer of BLP Insurance, concluded that it supported the APPG review and its findings adding that transparency along with clarity in terms of contractual requirements were supported in its Code For the Sale of New Homes.

“This is a mandatory code that applies to all clients who require BLPSECURE policies since 1^st June 2015.

“The right for the home buyer to survey the property prior to completion is also a pragmatic step to mitigate the number of issues likely to arise post completion.”