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The New Homes Quality Code
The information on this page is for all new homes reserved on or after 3rd October 2023.
New Homes Quality Code
The New Homes Quality Code (NHQC) is a set of standards that all new homes in the United Kingdom must meet. It was introduced in 2022 to improve the quality of new homes and to ensure the rights of homebuyers during the sales process and after-sales care.
Buying a new home is a big decision, so it's vitally important to make sure you're getting the best quality product. By signing up to the new code, Cala hopes to give our customers further reassurance that they are getting the best value when purchasing their dream home.
The NHQC is not only designed to ensure that new homes are built to a high standard and that homebuyers are protected. It also aims to promote fairness in the new homes market – all of which aligns with Cala’s own values.
NHQC Frequently Asked Questions
With the NHQC and New Homes Ombudsman Service (NHOS) setting out and overseeing a number of rules and regulations, designed to protect the rights of homebuyers in England and Wales, we have outlined the key information below to provide a handy guide for new and existing Cala customers.
The New Homes Quality Code covers all new homes in the United Kingdom including houses, flats, apartments, and other types of residential properties. The code covers a wide range of issues, including:
- The quality of the construction
- The accuracy of the sales information
- A developer’s obligation to fix defects
- A developer's after-sales care
Whilst the New Homes Quality Code is not a warranty and does not guarantee that your new home will be free of defects, it does set out the standards that developers must meet. If these standards are not met, the code is enforced by the New Homes Quality Board.
The New Homes Quality Board is an independent body that sets the standards for the New Homes Quality Code and monitors compliance. It also provides guidance and support to developers and homebuyers.
The New Homes Quality Board is made up of representatives from the housebuilding industry, consumer groups, and the government. This ensures that the standards are fair
The New Homes Ombudsman Service is an independent body that can help homebuyers resolve disputes with developers. The New Homes Ombudsman Service can investigate complaints and make recommendations to the developer. They can also order the developer to take action to resolve the complaint, such as fixing defects or providing compensation.
What’s more, the New Homes Ombudsman Service is free to use and if you have an issue, they will investigate your complaint fairly and impartially.
Please note; you cannot make a complaint to the New Homes Ombudsman Service without first following our formal complaints policy.
- Your home will be built to high standards: The New Homes Quality Code sets out clear standards and guidelines for the construction of new homes. This includes standards for the materials used, the workmanship, and the design. By following these standards, developers will reduce the risk of defects in your home.
- You will be protected if there are any problems with your home: The New Homes Quality Code gives you a number of rights if there are any problems with your new home. These include the right to have the defects fixed free of charge, the right to reduce the price of your home, and the right to cancel the contract.
- You will have access to an independent complaints process: If you have a complaint about your new home and you are unable to find a resolution with your homebuilder, you can refer it to the New Homes Ombudsman Service. The Ombudsman Service is an independent body that will investigate your complaint fairly and impartially whilst, most importantly, being free of charge.
- You will be helping to improve the quality of new homes: By choosing a developer who has signed up to the New Homes Quality Code, you are helping to create a market where developers are incentivised to build high-quality homes. This will benefit both new and existing customers, as well as the market in the long run.
Our Customer Charter
Here at Cala we are incredibly proud of our culture, it’s the driving force behind our business and it’s encapsulated in our vision – building a place to be proud of.
Our four values drive our culture; Passion, Delivery, Quality and Respect run through everything we do, including the way we help our customers from the first time they contact us right through their home move and beyond.
