http://www.propertylogbook.co.uk/index.php en Copyright 2008 2008-06-09T21:07:00+00:00 http://www.propertylogbook.co.uk/index.php/site/news_article/http_wwwconsumercodeforhomebuilderscom/ http://www.propertylogbook.co.uk/index.php/site/news_article/http_wwwconsumercodeforhomebuilderscom/#When:20:07:00Z The OFT driven consumer code for house builders comes into effect from April this year.  The Consumer Code sets out requirements that all home builders must meet, which inlcudes: Ensure home buyers are treated fairly Home buyers know what levels of service to expect Are given more up to date and reliable information Can access a low cost dispute resolution service if they are dissatisfied Home builders must adopt the principles and good practice guidance of the Code, which could even be incorporated into your customer charter.  A home builder can always adopt a different approach to reflect your own customer service standards and aspirations but you must provide a similar level of information and achieve a comparable outcome.  For more information please go to Consumer Code for House Builders What does this mean for home builders?  Very simply, home builders must provide more information to potential buyers and be clear as to what a potential buyer can expect in terms of information, the buying process, service levels and dispute remedies.  Home builders are being asked as an industry to compile and put together more information for buyers, which in the end should benefit home builders as buyers expectations can be better managed and more realistic.  This will increase front end costs in terms of time, effort and money and the challenge for home builders is to identify ways in which they can keep these costs down.  The Property Log Book provides a very low cost but effective solution for house builders as we have been working with house builders for the last 4 years putting together all this kind of information.  This has benefited the builder and their customers.  The Log Books embrace all kinds of information, even more than specified in the Code and traditional paper handover manuals. Property Log Book 2008-06-09T20:07:00+00:00 http://www.propertylogbook.co.uk/index.php/site/news_article/property_log_book_open_new_english_office/ http://www.propertylogbook.co.uk/index.php/site/news_article/property_log_book_open_new_english_office/#When:13:22:00Z A number of influential property developers have combined forces to fight the proposed Tory planning policies. The group, called Building Futures, claims Conservative plans to hand over more power to local councils for planning decisions risks local councillors deciding applications on the basis of “political whims” rather than merit. Land Securities, Britain’s biggest listed property company, and Countryside Properties are two of the most high-profile members of the lobby group. They argue the Tories’ localism agenda may encourage nimbyism and stifle development. Building Futures has been formed in the run-up to the general election. It has commissioned an independent survey of 515 local councillors across England and Wales by ComRes, a research consultancy. It reveals that 57% of all councillors think current housing targets are too high. Just 14% said they were too low. The councillors most opposed to housing developments were in the east of England — where 75% said targets were too high, followed by the southwest and southeast — areas where developers say new homes are most needed. Between 1997 and 2003 the amount of land being brought forward for development each year fell by 7%. Building Futures is arguing the case for a national planning framework that could inform local decisions.  A spokesman for Building Futures recently said that they “want applications to be treated fairly and judged on merit, not on the basis of instincts or political whims. Weakness in the planning system will threaten economic recovery.” Sunday Times 3/1/10. 2008-06-09T13:22:00+00:00