HC Deb 03 March 1971 vol 812 cc451-2W
Mr. Waddington

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has discussed with the N.H.B.R.C. further measures for improving the protection given to buyers of new houses.

Mr. Amery

I have discussed the possibility of increasing the protection afforded to new house buyers with the N.H.B.R.C. and am glad to announce that the Council have decided to introduce a new form of legal Agreement which obliges the actual vendor to accept liability for defects in work carried out by registered housebuilders. This will for the first time provide an incentive for developers, who employ registered house builders, to see that the building work is carried out satisfactorily. Building societies are cooperating in seeing that this agreement is offered to purchasers.

The N.H.B.R.C. are also opening a new training school for their Inspectors, and are making a closer check into the financial and technical capabilities of new builders coming on to the Register. Those firms already registered are also being reviewed and advisory letters are being sent to the 100 house builders identified as the least satisfactory.

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