October 2018
The government has announced that there will be a New Homes Ombudsman and its intent to ban the use of combustible materials on external walls of high-rise buildings. The announcement on 1st October also included plans to help provide the homes the country needs through planning reform and plans to create a lasting legacy from the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
New Homes Ombudsman
In February, the Government consulted on options to ensure that no-one is left battling with their landlord or builder to resolve issues with their home. ‘Strengthening Consumer Redress in the Housing market: a consultation’ explored and questioned:
- Improving ‘in–house’ complaint processes, to ensure that issues get resolved as quickly as possible;
- The practices and functions that should be expected of redress schemes and the powers that they need to do this;
- How to fill existing gaps in redress, with a particular focus on private tenants, buyers of new build homes and leaseholders; and
- The case for streamlining and improving services for consumers through the creation of a single housing ombudsman service.
(see LEASE response to Strengthening Consumer Redress in the Housing market: a consultation)
The New Homes Ombudsman will champion homebuyers, protect their interests and hold developers to account. Government intends to legislate to require all new developers to belong to a new homes ombudsman; and will work with consumers and industry to develop its proposals and publish more details in due course.
Safety of high-rise buildings
On 17th May 2018, during the Secretary of State’s Oral Statement to Parliament on the day the final report of Dame Judith Hackitt’s Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety was published the government committed itself to consult on banning combustible material on external walls of high-rise buildings. Following this consultation the government has confirmed that it will take forward this ban on all high-rise buildings that contains flats, as well as hospitals, residential care premises and student accommodation above 18 metres.
