The Consumer Code for Home Builders is designed to protect home buyers purchasing new or newly converted homes in the UK. The Code applies to buyers who reserve a home built by a registered home builder under the insurance protection of one of the following Home Warranty Bodies:
NHBC
Premier Guarantee
LABC Warranty
Checkmate
For the Code’s pre-sale and handover requirements, it applies to first-time purchasers of a new home. These buyers are entitled to the full protections from reservation through to the handover process. However, second or subsequent buyers are still covered, but only for after-sales matters reported within two years from the date of the home warranty insurance certificate.
Who is Not Covered by the Code?
While the Code offers significant protections, it does not apply to the following scenarios:
Homes covered by the New Homes Quality Code at the time of reservation
Second-hand properties, including homes taken in part exchange and resold
Properties acquired by social landlords or corporate bodies
Self-build properties intended for personal use
Homes that are assigned or sub-sold before legal completion
Claims related to personal injury, property value loss, or land title disputes
Disputes that exceed the Independent Dispute Resolution Scheme’s limits
The exclusions help ensure that the Code is focused on providing support and safeguards for new home buyers, keeping the process fair and transparent. For those covered by the Code, it offers a powerful layer of protection throughout the home-buying journey.