Raising standards to protect homeowners
Buildmark Choice Questions
- Why do Registered Social Landlords value Buildmark Choice?
- Why choose Buildmark Choice as your social housing warranty?
- What is covered by Buildmark Choice?
- How much does it cost?
- Who can apply?
- Is there any guidance for tenants on looking after their new home?
Why do Registered Social Landlords value Buildmark Choice?
Buildmark Choice warranty and insurance cover for newly-built or converted social housing protects Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) and other providers of social housing against the risk of major structural problems.
The NHBC warranty also provides assurance to private lenders, insurers and regulators of RSLs.
The cover is suitable for rental and shared ownership, general and special needs housing, multiple occupancy projects, foyer schemes, student and NHS Trust accommodation and mixed-use sites.
It covers new build, conversion and rehabilitation schemes, and can include non-residential uses within mixed use projects, e.g. shops, surgeries and workshop units.
The core cover is complemented by a range of additional insurance options and professional services to meet particular needs of RSLs.
Why choose Buildmark Choice as your social housing warranty?
Buildmark Choice offers you much more extensive cover than its competitors, including standard cover for double glazing, alternative accommodation, loss of rent and optional cover for contractor insolvency. Further information on the benefits of NHBC's Buildmark Choice warranty is listed in the 'Questions to ask your warranty provider' leaflet.
NHBC also provides a Resolution Service which aims to resolve any disputes between you and the RSL. Under the Resolution Service, NHBC can also help arrange the remedial work needed to put things right if you fail to do so. Subject to conditions, NHBC insures your obligations in this section. NHBC's Claims Charter promises an efficient claims handling service.
NHBC is more than an insurance company, you have the support of our technical knowledge gained from over 65 years experience in the industry.
Our key stage inspection service is designed to fit in with your production schedule, and all registered builders receive a free copy of the NHBC Standards and CD-ROM which are a valuable source of reference throughout construction. If you cannot find the answer to your construction query our inspectors are there to give you help and advice on site, while our technical advice line is available for complex issues.
If you are involved in conversion and renovation work and you need advice, our skilled teams have specialist knowledge of these types of project. We have qualified professionals across the country, who offer practical advice on problems which can arise on these sometimes unpredictable sites.
What is covered by Buildmark Choice?
For homes registered with NHBC from 1 April 2007, Buildmark Choice cover is divided into four main parts and is summarised below:
- The first 2 years after the property is completed
- Cover in years 3 to 10
- Additional cover in years 3 to 10 where NHBC's subsidiary carried out the building control
- Choice of optional cover including contractor insolvency before the property is completed
The first 2 years after the property is completed
The Contractor's Repair Cover lasts for two years from the date of the insurance certificate. During this period the contractor is obliged to put right defects and damage which result from a failure to comply with NHBC Standards. If the contractor fails to comply with his obligations, NHBC will itself arrange to put right those defects and damage.
During this 2-year period NHBC also offers the Resolution service to help settle disputes about defects or damage between the Contractor and the Registered Social Landlord. Following its investigation, NHBC will issue a report informing both parties of any work that the Contractor must carry out to fulfil his obligations under this part of the cover.
Years 3 to 10
The Home Damage Cover normally lasts for eight years after the Contractor's Repair Cover (but can be extended to 10 years depending on the options taken). Home damage cover includes a standard excess of £650 Indexed, but also gives Registered Social Landlords the option to have larger excesses. It provides indemnity against damage resulting from a breach of NHBC Standards in the following parts of a home:
- Foundations
- Load-bearing walls
- Non load-bearing partition walls
- Wet-applied wall plaster
- External render and vertical tile hanging
- Load-bearing parts of the roof
- Tile and slate coverings to pitched roofs
- Ceilings
- Load-bearing parts of the floors
- Screeds, staircases, and internal floor decking where these fail to support normal loads
- Retaining walls necessary for the structural stability of the Home or other building on the Development
- Double- or triple-glazing panes to external windows and doors
- Below ground drainage
- Defective chimneys and flues causing a danger to the health and safety of occupants
- Plus increased protection with the addition of alternative accommodation and loss of rent cover
Additional cover in years 3 to 10 where NHBC's subsidiary carried out the building control
If you choose NHBC Building Control Services Limited to undertake building control, your customers will have additional insurance cover for breaches of specified Building Regulations which cause a danger to the physical health and safety of the occupants of the home.
In addition, they will also have cover against the cost of cleaning up contamination of the land on which the home is built, if a local authority or the environment agency take action under environmental law.
Optional Cover before the property is completed
You can choose to combine the cover described above with a combination of the following options:
- Contractor's insolvency before the development is completed (limited to 10% of the Contract Price).
- Professional Fees
- Additional 2 years' cover
How much does it cost?
New build
Once you are registered with NHBC, you will need to register each development for Buildmark Choice. The cost is dependent on your NHBC premium rating, contract price and the build price of each development and also on the chosen level of optional cover and excess.
Conversions and renovations
There is an initial non-refundable investigation fee so that the viability of the scheme can be determined. NHBC will visit the site to assess the condition of the existing building and feasibility of the proposed works. If accepted, the investigation fee will be credited against the home registration fee.
Fees are also determined by the premium rating of the builder/developer and are dependent on the contract price and the build price of each development.
Who can apply?
Buildmark Choice is available to all builders and developers registered with NHBC who wish to build, convert or renovate housing for the social housing sector.
If you are converting or renovating properties each project is subject to NHBC acceptance.
Registered builders and RSLs can can apply direct for a quotation by contacting NHBC Customer Services.
Is there any guidance for tenants on looking after their new home?
NHBC has produced a guidance booklet for tenants of Registered Social Landlords. It provides useful reference on how the home is built and general guidance on its care and protection.