The Code

The Consumer Code sets requirements that Home Builders who are registered with the supporting Home Warranty Bodies(NHBC and Premier Guarantee & LABC New Home Warranty) must meet.

Home Builders may adopt the standards of good practice, procedures and information, as detailed in the guidance against each core requirement. Where a Home Builder decides to adopt a different approach to satisfy the core requirement, they must provide a similar level of information and achieve a comparable outcome to the same level as that detailed in the guidance notes.

The purpose of the Code is to ensure that Home Buyers:

• are treated fairly; 
• know what service levels to expect; 
• are given reliable information upon which to make their decisions; and 
• know how to access speedy, low-cost dispute-resolution arrangements if they are dissatisfied.

The Home Warranty Bodies have agreed to require all their registered builders to adopt and comply with the Code as a condition of the builder's registration with them.  Where a Home Builder is found to be in serious breach of the Code, Home Warranty Bodies can apply a range of sanctions, which could ultimately include removal from the relevant Home Warranty Body's register and exclusion from all registers run by other Home Warranty Bodies who participate in the Code scheme.

Download a copy of the main consumer Code document and the Builder Guidance document here.