§ Mr. Clifton-BrownTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister (1) in relation to the draft Housing Bill, how many surveyors will be required to fulfill the requirement of the seller's pack proposals; how these will be trained; and over what timescale they will be available; [R][136895]
(2) what plans the Government have to amend the Overcrowding Standard as defined in the Housing Act 1985. [136939]
§ Keith HillThe Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's initial estimate is that between 7,500 and 8,500 Home Inspectors will be needed to carry out home condition reports but this figure may be revised in the light of consultations and further work with the industry. Research indicates that there is a substantial pool of156W labour that could meet this potential demand, including the 4,500 people who are carrying out residential surveys now.
Home Inspectors will have to be certified and trained to National Occupational Standards. An awarding body will be appointed by the certification scheme to accredit the training courses and qualifications for home inspectors. Academic institutions, professional institutions and major employers are likely to run courses and training will take account of differences in prior knowledge and skills. Work on this has already started and we expect this will accelerate once the proposed new legislation is in place. Any requirement for sellers to provide a home condition report will not be brought into force until the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is satisfied that there are sufficient trained Home Inspectors in place.
The Government recognises that the statutory overcrowding standards in the Housing Act 1985 are now out of date, and is considering whether they should be reformed in the light of the arguments presented during the Westminster Hall Debate on 29 October 2003, Official Report, column 105WH.