The pack, which is expected to cost between 500- 1,000, will include information about local authority searches, planning permissions and a house condition report. Selling a property without one will become a criminal offence. But industry experts have warned that the proposals are not ready to become law, after a pilot study proved inconclusive. What we are looking for from the Government is further work so that when it is introduced it will be workable and of value. The house condition report is the point which is causing us the most concern as it is still unclear who should be employed to carry it out.
More work is needed.
But the head of Enact, a company which provides legal services to the housing sector, is urging Parliament to push through the reforms. I hope it goes through the new Parliamentary session without too much political point-scoring. Homelesness The Homes Bill also includes new proposals to help the homeless. It aims to re-introduce the legal obligation on local authorities to provide temporary accommodation for the homeless until they find a permanent address, which was removed by the previous Conservative government. And it extends the right to housing to homeless young people leaving care and those between the ages of 16 and 18.