The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) has voiced
support for the formation of a New Homes Ombudsman.
Responding
to the inquiry from the All Party Parliamentary Group for Excellence in the
Built Environment (APPGEBE), the CIOB has submitted evidence on behalf of
members, encouraging the creation of the new body to support customers and
improve the reputation of the construction industry.
“Our members strive for excellence in their work and we
support any actions that aspire towards higher standards and greater
consistency across the construction of new homes,” said Eddie Tuttle, Associate
Director for Policy, Research and Public Affairs at the CIOB.
“Our Royal Charter means that the public are at the heart
of our service. By creating a New Homes Ombudsman, not only will it lead to
improvements in the quality of the new homes built, but it will provide the
consumers with an independent voice to report problems and get the responses
and support they need.”
The inquiry focuses
on the growing recognition that consumers have inadequate support to resolve
problems they may encounter with new homes. It also comes at a time where the
Government appears to have a renewed focus on quality housebuilding.
The
renaming of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government during
the recent ministerial reshuffle, alongside recent debates in the House of
Lords and Westminster Hall on housebuilding, demonstrates a drive to take the
issue of housebuilding in the UK seriously.
The CIOB hopes that
the creation of the New Homes Ombudsman will improve the quality of new homes
by forcing house builders to put customer care front and centre with the
knowledge that
there would be a clear step customers can take to complain to an
independent party. With the submission of evidence, the CIOB looks forward to
working alongside the committee to improve quality in the built environment.
