Homeowners could get up to £50,000 compensation for shoddy building work under new ombudsman

NEW rules mean that homeowners could be awarded up to £50,000 in compensation from developers for shoddy building work.

The government has announced that it will be creating a New Homes Ombudsman to protect people buying new build properties.

The ombudsman will step in to protect buyers from issues such as sloppy brickwork or faulty wiring.

It will have the power to award compensation, ban rogue developers and order them to fix faults.

The new ombudsman will be able to help buyers like Louise and Philip Upton who found 108 faults with their £280,000 Bellway home after moving in.

Or dad-of-three Mike Firth who's "shoddy" Persimmon home still isn't fixed 16 months on from getting the keys.

The new rules will only apply to new build homes as there are already ombudsmen for other parts of the market, such as the Property Ombudsman.

The New Homes Ombudsman’s remit will include complaints involving fuel, energy and broadband performance where standards fall below those legally required or promised by developers.

Homebuyers will be able complain to the ombudsman up to two years after the first purchaser's completion date.

Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick said: "It’s completely unacceptable that so many people struggle to get answers when they find issues with their dream new home.

"That’s why the ombudsman will stop rogue developers getting away with shoddy building work and raise the game of housebuilders across the sector.

"Homebuyers will be able to access help when they need it, so disputes can be resolved faster and people can get the compensation they deserve."

We've previously reported how some residents of new build homes have been plagued by problems after their houses remained unfinished more than a year after they moved in.

Guy Kirk, 35, and his partner Lucy Sousa, 33, ended up putting a sign in their window warding off potential buyers, after developers Persimmon promised to complete snagging work by last October - but 90 different faults remained.