Speaking in the Local Government and Communities Committee Debate: Building Regulations and Fire Safety in Scotland, Scottish Conservative Housing Spokesman Graham Simpson MSP has called for consumer rights to extend to buyers of new homes.
Mr Simpson highlighted the range of measures that Scotland can implement to protect new-house buyers including standardised missives, a property ombudsman, mandatory inspections at key stages and clerks of works.
Mr Simpson will also raise the matter directly with Sajid Javid MP, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, asking him to explore UK wide solutions.
Graham said: “Consumer goods legislation gives consumers a range of remedies – refund, repair and replacement – if goods are faulty. New homebuyers do not automatically have these rights.
“Buying a new home is the biggest financial commitment that most of us will ever make. People buying new homes must have greater redress when things go wrong.
“Houses should never be built with major faults. The inspection system must be more thorough.
“I will be writing to Sajid Javid to ask him to look at a review of consumer protection for new house buyers.
“The contract could set out how defects are handled and money could be withheld for potential repairs. And there could be provision for dealing with disputes before referral to an ombudsman.
“It is absolutely essential that those issuing completion certificates carry out mandatory checks at key stages of building and that clerks of works would be best placed to ensure quality is maintained.
“We should aim for a system where buildings are built to an acceptable standard, that someone is responsible for ensuring that happens and that buyers have recourse if things go wrong.”