New build buyer, Martin Howsam, has started a petition after he complained of snagging issues with his home. He said housebuyers have no support when it comes to defects with their new homes.

Howsam said: “We soon realised that we had absolutely no consumer rights which I felt was absolutely disgusting, so I decided to start the petition.”

He said the outcome of any market study is likely to result in enforcement action by the Office of Fair Trading, recommendations for changes to regulations and laws, and consumer education.

Catriona Bright director of snagging firm New Build Inspections said: “The timing couldn't be better as exactly three year ago the Barker Review of Housing Supply was published and the house building industry was given until 2007 to get its house in order in terms of customer satisfaction and unfair contractual terms. It is clear that they have failed and the Office of Fair Trading should carry out a house building market study.”

The petition can be found at: http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/newhome