Will you be Consumer Code compliant?
 
     
 
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Will you be ready to meet the requirements of the new Consumer Code for Home Builders when the scheme goes live on 1st April 2010 (as anticipated)?


In association with the Council of Mortgage Lenders, NHBC and Premier Guarantee, the industry is introducing new standards and procedures to ensure that homebuyers are treated fairly. The scheme which shall apply to ALL home builders where the homebuyer reserves or buys a new property on or after 1st April 2010 is designed such that the homebuyer:-

  • Knows what service levels to expect
  • Is given reliable information upon which to make their decisions
  • Knows how to access speedy, low-cost dispute resolution arrangements if they are dissatisfied.

The code applies at all stages of the home purchasing/owing process:-

  • Pre-contract
  • Exchange of contract
  • After sales service (years 1-2 following legal completion)

The code places certain new obligations on the home builder that require:-

 


  
  • That all home builders adopt the code
  • That all home builders display the code and make it available to customers who ask for it and all homebuyers who reserve a home
  • That all home builders have suitable systems and procedures to ensure they can reliably and accurately meet the commitments on service, procedures and information in the code

Where a home builder is found to be in breech of the code the warranty bodies can apply a range of sanctions including removal of a home builder from the warranty provider’s register.
Homebuyers who think they have a dispute because the home builder has failed to meet the requirements of the code may use the IDRS (Independent Dispute Resolution Scheme Ltd) where the issue falls outside of the warranty provider’s own resolution service. In the event that the IDRS adjudicator finds in favour of the homebuyer a financial award of up to £15,000 may be made plus costs for inconvenience.

The code is only for complaints arising and made in writing within the 2 years following legal completion so it is absolutely essential that every home builder has a well structured and reliable system in place to manage and progress all defect complaints received from a purchaser during the first 2 years (the Builder’s Liability period).
After Build has been operating its unique warranty obligations management service for over 5 years, meeting (and exceeding) the


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

standard set out by the new Consumer Code for Home Builders. Our Code Compliant approach means we can manage your obligations for you, removing the need for day-to-day involvement and (on a fixed-price basis) take away the costly distractions this otherwise causes most new home builders.
Not only can we ensure that you meet the requirements ‘post-sale’ i.e. we will:-

  • Take and manage all homeowner calls
  • Manage and instruct your sub-contractors
  • Carry out all works and close down jobs
  • Report to you on a regular basis

… but we can also provide all of the necessary pre-sale literature which you will be required to issue to every homebuyer from the point of reservation, to ensure that they understand your arrangements and know who to call in the event of a defect arising.
And don’t forget – a major part of this cover is the FREE emergency registration which ensures we are on hand 24/7 to deal with anything that requires an immediate response.
If you would like to discuss any aspect of the new Consumer Code for Home Builders and look at how the After Build suite of warranty management services will provide the necessary cover you require, call us on 0845 456 4631 or e-mail: enquiries@afterbuild.com.

For full details of the new Consumer Code for Home Builders visit: www.newconsumercodeforhomebuilders.com