A REASSURING PRESENCE FOR NEW HOME BUYERS
What is the Code?
The Consumer Code for New Homes, approved by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute, is a mandatory Code for Members which has been established to ensure that best practice is followed by registered Developers in respect of the marketing and selling of New Homes to consumers, and also sets expected standards for after-sales customer care service.
for reservations made up to the 31st December 2023
for reservations made from the 1st January 2024
What the Code means for me?
I’m a Homeowner
The Consumer Code for New Homes has been established to support consumers in the purchasing process of a brand new home and provides a genuine commitment to improving standards of construction and customer service in the New Homes market, recognising that part of that commitment is providing consumers with a voice when things don’t go to plan.
I’m a Developer
The Consumer Code for New Homes, establishes mandatory requirements that apply to all Developers registered with the Code, to ensure that best practice is followed in respect of the marketing and selling of New Homes.
What does the Code cover?
The Code sets higher levels of consumer protection above beyond the law, covering the New Home buying process to ensure that the selling activities the Developer engages in are of a consistently high standard. This includes:
Pre-Contract Stage
Ensuring high standards of customer service, fair and clear documentation, and adequate information provision, to ensure consumers are able to make an informed decision about buying a New Home before they enter into Contract with a Developer.
Contract Exchange Stage
Governing the Contract of Sale, requiring minimum standards for fair and transparent contracts, accurate information about when the property will be ready, termination rights, changes to New Homes after Contract, and protecting deposits & pre-payments.
Legal Completion
Providing minimum standards for what must be done, the stage the New Home must have reached and what information must have been provided before Legal Completion can take place, ensuring consumers’ health & safety and providing the opportunity for a Pre-Completion Inspection.
After Occupation Starts
Setting minimum standards for the After-Sales Service which Buyers should expect to receive, and ensuring they have suitable information for maintaining and living in the New Home.
Complaints & Disputes
Setting minimum requirements for Complaints Procedures and giving consumers access to clear, speedy and free cost Independent Dispute Resolution if things don’t go according to plan.
Consumer Code for New Homes Ltd
Code Sponsor for the Consumer Code for New Homes
Registered in England: 11 Milbanke Court, Milbanke Way, Bracknell, Berkshire, RG12 1RP. No. 9924709