Other provisions New Homes Ombudsman scheme
The Act includes provisions that allow relevant owners of new build homes to escalate complaints to a scheme to be known as the New Homes Ombudsman scheme. The Secretary of State must make arrangements for a scheme to be available for complaints against members of the scheme to be investigated and determined by an independent person.
	The New Homes Ombudsman scheme must meet minimum requirements set out in the Act. The Act includes provision for the Secretary of State to provide financial assistance to the New Homes Ombudsman scheme.
	The Act introduces a power to require developers, or developers of a specified description, to become, and remain, members of the New Homes Ombudsman and to provide information to new build homebuyers about the scheme, and makes provision for sanctions should developers breach these requirements. Developers who receive a sanction will be able to appeal that decision. The Act includes the provision for the Secretary of State to make payments to enforcement bodies to investigate and impose sanctions in respect of breaches by a developer.
	The Act also includes provisions requiring the person who maintains the scheme to maintain a register of members, which must be available for inspection by members of the public.
	Finally, the Act introduces a power to issue or approve a code of practice about the conduct and workmanship expected of members of the New Homes Ombudsman scheme. Where a code of practice is issued or approved by the Secretary of State, the Secretary of State must ensure the current version of the code is published.
	The New Homes Ombudsman scheme, (which will include provision about the matters in relation to which complaints about members may be made under the scheme) must include provision for complaints about non-compliance with the code of practice.