Commenting on the announcement today that the Government will be undertaking a dry run of Home Information Packs prior to their proposed introduction, Stewart Baseley, Executive Chairman of the Home Builders Federation says:
“We welcome the fact that the Government will be trialling Home Information Packs. It is crucially important that we have an accurate idea of the impact these will have on the market.”
“While no-one could object to seeking improvements to benefit consumers, the cost of these packs could result in fewer homes coming on to the market. In the context of the current housing shortage, this would damage consumer interests most of all.
“I hope that the Government will give an objective and dispassionate analysis of the results, and be prepared, if necessary, to drop the idea completely. We need to ensure that consumers do not become the unintended losers of a scheme set up to serve their interests.”
The HBF first called for a dry run of the packs to be undertaken on 8 February 2006.
Notes for Editors
The Home Builders Federation (HBF) is the principal trade federation for private sector home builders and voice of the home building industry in England and Wales. The HBF’s 300 member firms account for over 80% of all new homes built in England and Wales in any one year, and include companies of all sizes, ranging from multi-national, household names through regionally based businesses to small local companies.
Home Information Pack activity accelerates, ODPM News Release 2006/0085, 7 April 2006:
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