Consumer Code for Home Builders
To us, treating customers fairly and providing them with honest and reliable information is an inherent part of our service.
In effect since April 2010, the Consumer Code for Home Builders - referred to throughout this article as the Code – was developed by the home-building industry to make the home-buying process fair and transparent. It outlines the rights and protections afforded to purchasers and ensures that they are treated fairly and are fully informed throughout the home-buying process.
At Peveril Homes, we are committed to ensuring your home-buying experience is positive, transparent, and supported by our adherence to industry standards and regulations. We fully comply with the Consumer Code for Home Builders.
Download a copy of the Consumer Code by clicking HERE.
If you require more information about the Code, please visit consumercode.co.uk.
The Home Buying Process
The Code covers all stages of the home-buying process, including:
Pre-Contract
As a prospective homebuyer, you should receive sufficient pre-purchase information to make an informed decision. This includes:
- A written reservation agreement which outlines the reservation fee, property details, purchase price, how and when the reservation agreement ends, and the duration of the price validity.
- A clear rundown of the structural warranty cover.
- A description of any management services and associated costs.
- The nature and assessment method of any event fees, such as transfer fees.
- If the home is not yet completed, the information should encompass a brochure or plan illustrating the layout, appearance, plot position, list of contents, and the standards to which the home is being built.
Exchange of Contract
The Home Builder must provide a contract that is clear, fair, and complies with relevant legislation. It must outline your termination rights, and reliable information about construction timelines, legal completion, and handover dates must be communicated.
In the case of unreasonable delays, homebuyers have the right to withdraw with a refund of the reservation fee. It is the responsibility of the Home Builder to explain how deposits are protected and how pre-payments are managed.
Moving In
The Home Builder should facilitate a demonstration, walking through your new home and its features. Noting defects during this helps them create a 'snagging list' for necessary fixes.
Standards for finish, like brickwork and paintwork, are defined by warranty bodies, but variations in appearance among individual homes are normal as each house is uniquely built.
Homes need time to settle, including gentle drying. Minor cracks, gaps, and white deposits are normal.
When buying a Peveril home, more information on common issues is provided to all new home buyers with the provision of a care and maintenance guide, new homes booklet, and other helpful guides.
During Occupation
Home Builders are required to provide accessible after-sale service, specifying contacts, and applicable guarantees. On the day of legal completion, you will receive a warranty box containing all the necessary instructions and warranties related to your new home.
As you may be among the first residents to move onto the development, safety precautions must be communicated. Your safety is of paramount importance to us, so all development site rules must be followed.
Procedures for receiving and resolving service calls and complaints, along with dispute resolution arrangements, will also be provided in writing.
If You Have a Query
Even after you’ve settled into your new home, we’ll still be on hand in case you need anything, as we want to make sure everything is perfect for you. Although we wish your new home purchase to be both exciting and hassle-free, the information below offers examples of potential issues and guidance on who to contact for resolution.
In the First Two Years
This period is commonly known as the builder warranty or defects insurance period. If you believe any aspect of your new home falls short of the required standard, reach out to your builder, responsible for addressing defects within the initial two years of your purchase. If you've reported issues to your builder, and they haven't resolved them promptly or are unable to due to insolvency, contact your home warranty provider. They might provide assistance or advice through their dispute resolution service and could even handle the necessary work if the builder is unable to do so.
Three to Ten Years
This is commonly known as the structural insurance period and covers the home for up to 10 years after completion. During this time, your structural warranty provider will cover the costs and perform necessary remedial works for policy-covered issues. This coverage usually includes elements like foundations, walls, cladding, roofs, flues, chimneys, ceilings, load-bearing parts of the floor, and glazing in outside windows and doors.