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New homes have too many problems, says OFTHousebuilding industry told to improve

21 July 2009

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Get a legally binding agreement drawn up

People buying new-build homes are still facing too many glitches and need somewhere to turn to, says a government watchdog.

The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) reported last year that people buying new-build homes faced problems including delays in moving in, faults in the property and problems with the sales process such as inadequate information and potentially unfair terms and conditions in contracts

If you're buying a home, see the Which? guides to in a falling market and . For advice on all aspects of house buying and selling try the Which? book Buy, Sell and Move House.  

Complaints about new homes

The OFT recommended that home building industry should produce a code of conduct and a redress scheme to handle buyers' complaints 

This was meant to be fully operational by March 2010. And while the OFT says that progress has been made, it's now said that the deadlines won't be met. As a result, it's called for the government to introduce a compulsory redress scheme.

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