Carol Brady

The Consumer Code for Home Builders (CCHB) is working with consumer groups to raise awareness of the protection offered by its Code, so that more home buyers know what service they should expect.

The CCHB met recently with representatives from the HomeOwners Alliance to go through how buyers of new homes are protected by the Code. The HomeOwners Alliance was particularly pleased to hear that the Code requires builders to provide clear and comprehensive information about any potential financial implications of a purchase – including management fees and/or leasehold arrangements – an area which has caused concern among consumers recently. The Code also reduces the risk of gazumping, as builders are not permitted to enter into a new Reservation agreement or sale agreement with another customer on the same home while the reservation agreement is in force.

The CCHB is also working with the Citizen’s Advice telephone helpline team which takes approximately 1,000 calls about new homes every year. The aim is to provide call handlers with sufficient information that potential home buyers feel well informed about the protection available and confident to ask their home builder questions about the level of service they can expect.

Noel Hunter, Chairman, CCHB, said: “Working proactively with consumer bodies that have a role to play in supporting home buyers helps us raise awareness of the protection that is available to consumers, and will encourage more people to seek assistance via our Independent Dispute Resolution Scheme should any issues arise.”

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