ALMOST a quarter of people in Britain are concerned about the quality of new-build homes and also believe they lack character compared with older properties, new research has found.

Overall, some 24 per cent consider a lack of quality of build to be a major disadvantage of buying a new-build home over an older property, according to the survey by specialist residential warranty and commercial latent defects insurer BLP Insurance.

People living in the North of England were more likely to view a lack of quality of construction as a major disadvantage of new build homes at 29 per cent, compared to 21 per cent living in London and the South East.

Some 26 per cent believe that new builds lack of character, 24 per cent are concerned about the size of rooms and 21 per cent about prices, the research also shows.

Respondents aged 16 to 24 see cost as the biggest disadvantage of buying a new-build home while respondents over the age of 55 think cost is the least important factor with the lack of character the main drawback of buying a new build.

The survey also revealed that 29 per cent of people do not believe there were any benefits in purchasing a new-build home.

“Poor build quality is an increasing issue in the UK housing market,” said Kim Vernau, chief executive officer of BLP Insurance.

“As developers attempt to meet the high levels of demand for new homes, practical design and quality is being compromised.”