Official Bodies/ Warranties/ Architects Certificate

When buying a new home you should check that it has either a build warranty in place or was supervised through its stages of build by a qualified architect. Properties that have neither will be awkward to raise a mortgage on.

Please click the  links  for further information:

Architects Certificate

NHBC Warranty

Premier Guarantee

Zurich Warranty 

NHBC WARRANTY

The NHBC is the leading warranty provider in the UK and the majority of new properties are covered by an NHBC policy. The policy applicable to private buyers of new build homes is known as Buildmark. This policy provides the following:

1. The NHBC will pay for the house to be completed if the builder goes out of business. This is limited to £100,000 or 10% of the purchase price, whichever is the least.
2. In the first two years of the warranty period snagging defects are covered, which currently exclude defects caused by normal drying out. If an NHBC registered builder does not deal with these defects within a reasonable time period then you can use the NHBC resolution service.
3. A 10-year warranty against structural defects, although this is primarily an insurance policy for the housebuilder.

You can find NHBC’s website at www.nhbc.co.uk or contact them at the address or telephone number below:

NHBC (National House-Building Council)
Ash House
Dencore Business Park
Linford Wood
Milton Keynes
MK14 6ET
Tel: 0870 241430

Zurich Warranty

The Zurich Building Guarantee is a leading new build warranty provider in the UK and a significant number of new properties are covered by one of their policies. The policy applicable to private buyers of new build homes is known as the Standard 10. This policy provides the following:

1. During the build period Zurich Insurance will repay the deposit of up to 10% of the value of the property if the housebuilder goes out of business.
2. In the first two years, the Developers Warranty Period (DWP), snagging defects are covered. If the housebuilder does not deal with reported defects within a reasonable time period, the home owner can use the Zurich Building Guarantee resolution service. There is an £100 excess per item or £500 in total.
3. A 10-year Structural Insurance Period (SIP) covering structural damage caused by latent defects, although this is primarily an insurance policy for the housebuilder.

You can visit the Zurich Building Guarantee website at www.zurich.co.uk or contact them at the address below:

Zurich Building Guarantee
Southwood Crescent
Farnborough
Hampshire
GU14 0NL
Tel: 08702 418050
Fax: 01252 372989

The Premier Guarantee

The Premier Guarantee is a relatively new warranty provider in the UK. Their policy provides the following:

1. If the housebuilder goes out of business, while the property is being built the Premier Guarantee will pay up to 10% of the value of the property to repay any deposit or to complete the property.
2. In the first two years snagging defects are covered. If the housebuilder does not deal with reported defects within a reasonable time period, the home owner can contact Premier, who will either arrange for the work to be carried out themselves or pay for the remedial work to be completed. There is an £100 excess for each and every cause of loss to a maximum of £500.
3. As with the NHBC and Zurich warranties there is a 10-year Structural Insurance Period, although this is primarily an insurance policy for the housebuilder.

You can visit the Premier Guarantee website at www.premierguarantee.co.uk or contact them at the telephone number or address below:

The Premier Guarantee
Haymarket Court
Hinson Street
Birkenhead
Merseyside
CH41 5BX
Tel. 0151 650 4343

Architect's Certificate

Don't be mistaken, this is not a warranty, it is a statement from the architect that the property has been built in accordance with standard and accepted building principles. You should ask your solicitor to check the architect's professional indemnity insurance to ensure you can claim if a structural defect does arise. There is no protection in case the builder goes out of business during the build period and snagging defects are not covered during the first two years of ownership.