From 1st July 2019 the Council of Mortgage Lenders is integrated into a new trade association, UK Finance. UK Finance represents around 300 firms in the UK providing credit, banking, markets and payment-related services. The new organisation takes on most of the activities previously carried out by the Asset Based Finance Association, the British Bankers’ Association, the Council of Mortgage Lenders, Financial Fraud Action UK, Payments UK and the UK Cards Association.

Typically, lenders need either a warranty certificate such as from the NHBC or a Professional Consultants Certificate (“PCC”) which is issued by an architect, surveyor, engineer or other approved construction professional.

The NHBC repeatedly say that the inspections that it undertakes (more usually its Building Control associated company ‘NHBC Building Control Services Limited’) are for insurance purposes only and no duties are owed to purchasers of new dwellings.

A PCC facilitate bringing a claim (even by a subsequent purchaser) within the relevant period specified by the PCC, provided breach and loss be shown.

It is hoped that this body will take on board some of the recommendations appropriate to it, as set out in the section: How to Improve the Situation