NHQB Standards: Your New Build Rights Explained
The New Homes Quality Board (NHQB) introduced a voluntary code of practice in 2022 that significantly strengthens the rights of new build buyers. If your developer is registered, you have protections that did not previously exist.
What Is the NHQB?
The New Homes Quality Board is an independent body set up to improve the quality of newly built homes and the service buyers receive. It operates a Code of Practice that registered developers must follow, backed by the New Homes Ombudsman Service (NHOS) — an independent dispute resolution service with the power to award compensation.
Unlike the NHBC (which primarily covers structural warranties), the NHQB focuses on buyer rights, customer service standards, and the sales and handover process.
Your Key Rights Under the NHQB Code
The Pre-Completion Inspection Right
The most significant new right for snagging purposes is the mandatory offer of a pre-completion inspection. Registered developers must:
- ✓Offer you a pre-completion inspection before legal completion
- ✓Allow a professional inspector to attend on your behalf
- ✓Provide reasonable notice of the completion date to allow you to arrange an inspector
- ✓Acknowledge the inspection report and respond within agreed timescales
The New Homes Ombudsman Service
If you cannot resolve a complaint with your developer through their internal process, you can escalate to the New Homes Ombudsman Service (NHOS). The NHOS is free to use and can:
- Investigate complaints independently
- Award compensation up to £50,000
- Require the developer to carry out specific remedial works
- Issue findings that are binding on the developer
Important: You must first complete your developer's internal complaints process before approaching the NHOS. Keep records of all correspondence — dates, content, and the developer's responses.
Which Developers Are NHQB Registered?
The majority of the UK's largest housebuilders are registered. This includes:
Always verify current registration status at nhqb.org.uk as membership can change.
What the NHQB Does Not Cover
The NHQB code covers customer service and the sales/handover process. It does not:
- Replace your NHBC structural warranty
- Cover all small developers (membership is voluntary)
- Replace your legal right to pursue the builder through the courts
- Guarantee that all defects will be fixed — it governs the process, not the outcome
Disclaimer: SnaggingFinder.co.uk is an independent comparison and referral service. We are not surveyors, engineers, or legal advisors. Information on this website is for general guidance only and does not constitute professional or legal advice. Always engage a qualified, insured professional for your property inspection. Inspector pricing and availability are subject to change - always verify directly with the inspector before booking.