The NHQB is a non-profit organisation that sets the standard for the quality of new homes and customer service provided by developers in the UK.
It will take full responsibility for the Shared Ownership Code for housing providers, published in June 2025, including its operations, governance and financial stability.
The council was established to provide an independent view on how to improve the shared ownership experience and produce a code for housing providers to standardise best practice and consumer protection for homeowners. With the responsibility for the code transferred to the NHQB, the council will wind down its operation.
Both organisations have worked closely in partnership over the period since NHQB was selected to ensure a smooth handover. While similar operations used for NHQB’s New Homes Quality Code will be applied to the Shared Ownership Code, both codes will remain separate, with different criteria, registrations and fees.
Following the publication of the code, 54 organisations have registered an interest in adopting it – a number that is expected to grow when formal applications open on 3 November 2025.
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To operate the code, NHQB has established a new subsidiary organisation that will have its own board with a range of experienced non-executive directors.
Ann Santry, who has chaired the Shared Ownership Council, will temporarily serve as chair and sit on the subsidiary board for three months.
Bernie Conroy, the industry consultant who co-led the code’s pilot and engaged with providers, will also support for three months.
Santry said: “We’re confident that the code will be in safe and capable hands with NHQB. Our shared values, combined with their experience, infrastructure, and governance, will ensure effective implementation and better outcomes for current and future shared owners.
“I am incredibly grateful to our funders, pilot providers, the social finance delivery team, and the wider ecosystem for supporting the development of the code. This support has enabled us to achieve what we were set up to do, and we believe the transfer to NHQB will further improve the customer journey for shared owners. I look forward to working with NHQB over the next few months to support the transition and to encourage more providers to adopt the code.”
