§ Dr. GibsonTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister (1) what(a) representations his Department has received from and (b) what meetings his Department has had with the housing industry regarding the proposed introduction of home information packs; [165114]
(2) what estimate he has made of the percentage change in the number of failed housing market transactions that would result from the proposed introduction of home information packs; [165115]
(3) how many home inspectors will be required to fulfil the requirement of the home information pack proposals; how they will be trained; how they will be insured; and over what timescale they will be available; [165116]
1649W(4) what research has been (a) commissioned and (b) undertaken by his Department to assess the economic costs and benefits to the housing market, in particular in areas of low-demand, of the introduction of home information packs; [165117]
(5) what assessment his Department has made of the pilots carried out on home information packs for house sales. [165118]
§ Keith HillAll the main professional and trade bodies involved in the home buying and selling process have been actively involved in helping steer research and develop proposals for home information packs. These organisations frequently express views to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. They are closely involved in finalising arrangements for the smooth implementation of home information packs.
Research carried out in 1998 showed that 28 per cent. of home sale transactions failed after terms have been agreed, costing buyers and sellers about £350 million each year in wasted expenditure. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister expect home information packs to reduce significantly this failure and waste.
Between 7,500 and 8,500 home inspectors will be needed to prepare home condition reports and 90 per cent. of these have already been identified within the property professions. Candidates Will be trained within the educational sector and property industry in accordance with approved National Occupational Standards. They will be covered by indemnity insurance and the required number will be available before the implementation of the home information pack.
A regulatory impact assessment published by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister following consultation with the industry provides details of anticipated costs and benefits arising from home information packs. Following extensive research on this subject, we published a consultation paper "the home information pack in low demand low value areas" in March 2003. A summary of responses to the consultation was published on 3 February 2004. Copies are available in the Library of the House.
In December 1999 we launched a pilot scheme in Bristol to test the practical operation of packs. This showed that home information packs can be assembled quickly, inject transparency into the home buying and selling process and help with the early identification and resolution of problems.