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OFT slams new-build 'faults'

Jaimie Kanwar

A new study has cast serious doubt on the quality of new build homes in the UK...

According to the study by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT), seven in 10 buyers of newly-built homes found faults with their properties.
 

The OFT launched the investigation into the multi-billion pound housebuilding industry in the UK in July last year, with a remit to look at customer satisfaction and the success, or otherwise, of regulation and competition in the industry.

The research into the state of the homebuilding market found that:

- Most of the problems were minor issues with decorating, glazing, plasterwork or appliances and did not cost the buyer much to fix.

- Those whose moving-in date was delayed faced heavy costs.

- 56% of respondents said the desire for a newly-built home was primarily due to not having to do any work when they moved in.

- Other reasons also included no previous occupants, no chain, being able to choose fixtures and fittings, and cost.

- Nearly one in 10 said they had encountered a pushy salesman.

-  32% of buyers said that they could not move in on the date they were originally told.

Although 70% of people - including 83% in Scotland - had found faults when moving in, nearly half (48%) said they would consider buying a newly-built home again in the future.

Over the next three months, the OFT will discuss its initial findings with the industry and consumer groups before the final market study is published in September.

 ‘Excellent service'?

In a slight exaggeration of the reality of the survey, Steve Turner, of the Home Builders Federation, commented: "The survey shows that, overwhelmingly, homebuilders delivered excellent service to their customers, with 86% of people satisfied with the service they received and 90% saying the quality of construction was good or very good."

He added: "It is a credit to homebuilders that following such an in-depth examination of the services they provide, they have received such a clean bill of health".