HL Deb 28 April 1981 vol 419 c1166WA
Lord Underhill

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What consideration has been given by the Department of the Environment to the proposal for a system of final inspection of a new dwelling for fitness for human habitation, which was included in the Special Report of the Select Committee on Opposed Provisions of the South. Yorkshire Bill [H.L.] made on 31st January, 1980.

Lord Skelmersdale

All new houses are subject to building regulations, and local building control authorities have a statutory duty to enforce the regulations. In addition, virtually all new private housing is covered by the National House-Building Council's warranty scheme. The Government are satisfied that building control, particularly when supplemented by the NHBC scheme, effectively ensures the satisfactory condition of new houses: to require local authority approval of new houses as fit for habitation is unnecessary.