The Home Condition Report
(HCR) will eventually be phased in as a very important
part of the new Regulations.
The report will be a
mid-level survey like the current Homebuyer Survey
and will offer far more information than a lender’s
valuation report. However the Government
announced in July 2006 that after consulting the
industry, they have decided to phase in the HCR
rather than insist on this document forming part of
the implementation.
The "re-shaped" HIP (see further
amendments
made by the Government 22nd May 2007) will
include and energy performance certificate, searches and
other key legal documents.
Both buyers, sellers and lenders
will have a legal right to rely on the Home
Condition Report and there will be no need for
buyers to obtain their own Reports or surveys.
Lenders will be required to make valuations as they
do now, but they will want to maximise the use of
the new Home Condition Report to improve their
valuations and cut costs to consumers.
Only
"Home Inspectors" qualifying under
a certification scheme approved by Ministers will be
able to prepare home condition reports. The scheme
will be responsible for monitoring and auditing
inspectors’ work.
This will be robust to ensure
that standards are maintained. Home Inspectors will
need to have suitable insurance. Consumers will also
benefit from an independent redress scheme.
The Home Condition Report will be
in plain easy to read language that will be easily
understood by a layperson. Detailed information will
be presented in a straightforward format.
Home
Inspectors
To become a Home Inspector all Home Inspectors, will
undertake an assessment process that will lead to a
Diploma in Home Inspection. ABBE, awarding body for
the built environment, has developed the ABBE
Diploma in Home Inspection that has been accredited
by the Qualification and Curriculum Authority (QCA).
This is a Vocationally Related Qualification [VRQ],
which has been set at Level 4 in the National
Qualifications Framework [NQF], which is similar to
that of Higher National Diploma's [HND] and modern
Foundation Degrees.
Candidates must provide evidence that they have
underpinning knowledge, and the practical competence
required in order to do the job. This involves
producing reports for assessment, satisfactory
completion of the ABBE external exam and if
appropriate, use of a structured professional
interview [SPI].
Around 8-10000 inspectors will be needed to meet the
expected demand.
Source:
ABBE
scheme
NEWS
All
properties must now be sold with a HIP
-
20th November 2007
Making a Will -
Specialist solicitors now offer free initial advice on
wills & probate in the UK -
7th September 2007
Government
forced to delay HIPS regime - 22nd May 2007
Will HIPs go
ahead as planned on the 1st June 2007? -
3rd May 2007
There
will not be enough Energy Performance Assessors say
industry bodies - 8th April 2007
House prices
continue to rise - 31st March 2007
UK consumer interest in
holiday apartments and
villas in Paphos is rising -
More and more are emigrating abroad [23rd March 2007]
Industry figures warn of reckless behaviour by the
government - 28th March 2007
