News - Construction News
New Homes Ombudsman set up by government
2 Mar 20

According to new legislation, builders and developers will now be required to register with the New Homes Ombudsman, a construction watchdog with a revitalised code of practice which protects homebuyers from substandard bricklaying and wiring.
Specifically, builders will be required by law to register with the New Homes Ombudsman meaning that they will be required to abide by the upgraded codes of practice and, should any work be carried out to s substandard level, will be ordered by the Ombudsman to rectify any shoddy building work.
The Housing Secretary, Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP stated: “It is completely unacceptable that so many people struggle to get answers when they find issues with their dream new home.
“That is 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.”
The Chief Executive of the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), Brian Berry added: “This announcement is a step in the right direction for consumers and house builders alike. As the FMB had demanded, it is correct that the New Homes Ombudsman will be backed up by law.
“We are pleased that the Government has recognised that the new system must not be burdensome to small and medium-sized (SME) house builders. If we are to meet the Government’s target of building one million homes over the next five years, SME builders must be encouraged to play their part.
“The details of this sensible step are still to be worked out, and the SME building industry must be central in the process as the funding, standards, and delivery model are decided upon. Any new consumer code must also ensure that all new homes are covered by the highest-rated insurance companies.”
“While welcome, the drive towards ensuring quality for the consumer cannot be fully achieved without an industry-wide adoption of a licensing scheme.
“So long as any company is legally allowed to undertake construction work in the UK without having to demonstrate a minimum level of competence, homeowners will remain at risk from rogue builders and poor service, leading to the sorts of complaints that the New Homes Ombudsman has been established to address.”
If you would like to read more articles like this then please click here.
Related Articles
More News
- Small Builders, big wins: Practical Artificial Intelligence that speeds up UK Construction Operations
12 Sep 25
Practical advice where artificial intelligence can return time and protect margin for smaller UK contractors.
- £6M investment for Greater Manchester Tram-Train network
11 Sep 25
Greater Manchester’s public transport ambitions have received a major boost.
- Government clears path for 100,000 new homes through New Homes Accelerator
10 Sep 25
The government’s New Homes Accelerator programme has helped unlock progress on almost 100,000 homes across
-
-
Latest News
- Small Builders, big wins: Practical Artificial Intelligence that speeds up UK Construction Operations
12 Sep 25
Practical advice where artificial intelligence can return time and protect margin for smaller UK contractors.
- £6M investment for Greater Manchester Tram-Train network
11 Sep 25
Greater Manchester’s public transport ambitions have received a major boost.
- Government clears path for 100,000 new homes through New Homes Accelerator
10 Sep 25
The government’s New Homes Accelerator programme has helped unlock progress on almost 100,000 homes across
- Why sustainability fails without structural engineers
9 Sep 25
Development firms could benefit from in-depth structural engineering knowledge
- Modular frameworks create a monumental opportunity for UK public sector construction
5 Sep 25
Modular Buildings 3, allows public sector organisations to access a verified list of modular construction
- Northern Ireland investment boost
4 Sep 25
Northern Ireland is set to benefit from a new package of investment aimed at underpinning
-
-