The New Homes Quality Board launched in 2022, offering enhanced protections for buyers of new homes. As long as a housebuilder or developer has followed the correct registration process, including completing the necessary training, introducing a complaints procedure, and following other processes and procedures that are needed to meet the requirements of this New Homes Quality Code (the code), they will become a registered developer.

Registered developers agree to follow the code and the New Homes Ombudsman
Service, including accepting the decisions of the New Homes Ombudsman in relation to dealings with customers. If a registered developer does not meet the required standards, or fails to accept and act in line with the decisions of the New Homes Ombudsman, they may be referred to the NHQB Discipline & Sanctions Committee. This committee investigates whether a breach (of the Code or other disciplinary offence) has occurred by a developer and, if so, what corrective action or disciplinary measures are to be applied. These can range from requiring employees to be retrained, fines being levied, or ultimately removal from the Register of Developers.

The code sets out the requirements that registered developers must meet. We may update the code from time to time to reflect changes to industry best practice as well as the decisions of the New Homes Ombudsman Service. We will decide how and when each amended or updated code will come into force. All homes built by registered developers must meet building-safety and other regulations. All registered developers should aim to make sure there are no snags or defects in their properties before the keys are handed over to a customer. If there are any snags or defects, these should be put right within the agreed timescales.