CIOB support for New Homes Ombudsman inquiry

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.

The full response can be accessed here: https://www.ciob.org/industry/politics-government/consultations