Government confirms plans for New Homes Ombudsman

The government has also confirmed plans to make builders benefiting from the Help to Buy scheme from 2021 until it ends in 2023 meet certain standards, such as signing up to the Building Safety Charter if selling flats in blocks taller than six storeys or 18 metres.

Unlike the current Help to Buy scheme, it will be available only to first-time buyers and will include regional price caps – from £186,000 in the North East to £600,000 in London.

Mr 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 house builders 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 New Homes Ombudsman will be independent from the industry and funded through fees paid by developers, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said.

It will be separate to other ombudsman services in the housing market, including the Housing Ombudsman which investigates complaints by social housing residents.

The government has published a summary of responses to a consultation on proposals for the New Homes Ombudsman, which ran between June and August 2019.