A Conveyancers Guide to the New Homes Quality Board & Code of Practice

Introduction

House builders have often come in for criticism, whether for quality of workmanship, service to buyers, and dealing with defects. The Consumer Code for Homebuilders sought to address these and other concerns but now we have The New Homes Quality Board and its Code of Practice and a New Homes Ombudsman.

The new Code builds on the previous one but with more detail and requirements - whether you act for buyers, developers or both it is timely to look in detail at the new Code and how this might affect the advice you give your clients.

What You Will Learn

This live and interactive session will cover the following:

• The guide for developers - published alongside the Code itself which sets out detailed guidance to be followed and seeks to amplify the Code and address practical matters the developer will need to know
• Comments and criticisms by industry stakeholders - what is thought to be wrong with the Code
• NHQB suggested clauses for the contract itself - including completion dates, notice periods and cancellation rights
• An outline of the Code, the obligatory requirements which will have to be adopted and complied with by developers and builders who register
• The fundamental principles including fairness, quality and service. The practical steps, solvency, legal rights and jurisdiction
• What developers need to consider such as standard form documentation, sales and marketing information
• The reservation agreement - what is it for and what does it need to contain
• Pre-completion checklist - is it definitive and ‘snagging’ but more formalised
• Staff training and keeping records
• After sales service - for at least two years
• Early bird arrangements - off plan buyers
• Complaints management
• Transition from the Consumer Code for Homebuilders
• The New Homes Ombudsman Scheme
• A look at some of the frequently asked questions with interactive discussions and illustrative cases
• Comparison with NHBC Buildmark Warranty

Recording of live sessions: Soon after the Learn Live session has taken place you will be able to go back and access the recording - should you wish to revisit the material discussed.