2007-04-27
Leading electrical trade association NAPIT has backed plans for Home Information Packs (HIPs), which are set to be introduced this summer:
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| NAPIT chief executive John Andrews. |
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NAPIT ( Association of Professional Inspectors and Testers) believes HIPs will go some way to preventing house sales falling through but could be improved further to make them more useful.
HIP consultation ended this month and NAPIT believes the HIP will help to act as a focal point for much of the legislation surrounding compliance with building regulations. NAPIT's Competent Persons Schemes in the electrical, plumbing, heating and ventilation sectors ensure that building regulations are fully complied with.
NAPIT chief executive John Andrews said: "Government figures show that 43% of failed transactions result from inspections and surveys done after the sale has been agreed. To provide compliance information in advance would tackle an enormous problem."
NAPIT is disappointed that the Home Condition Report (HCR) will not be mandatory in the HIPs and that a certificate of compliance with building regulations is not required by the HCR.
The existence of self-certification completed electronically under building regulations has opened up the prospect of easily accessible data on compliance. NAPIT believes it is a wasted opportunity that this information will not be utilised in the HIP process.
Benefits significant:
Andrews said: "The cost of using this information would be negligible but the benefits to the householder significant, so we would like it added to the HCR. We believe reputable tradespeople and our industry could benefit from this, as householders would be far more likely to comply with building regulations and use competent installers if they were aware that the work would be checked later. From a safety perspective, homes would become safer and rogue tradespeople would be a thing of the past.
Current notification data shows that controlled services are often not notified to local authorities. So action to influence more use of self certification would lead to greater levels of compliance.
Good practice says that fixed wiring in homes should be checked at least every ten years via a period inspection report (PIR). NAPIT also calls on the DCLG to reflect such guidance by making a PIR necessary in the HCR contents for all homes older than 10 years.
John Andrews said: "The HIPs are a real opportunity to help push up standards of safety and ensure that householders use reputable tradespeople to carry out good quality work within their home. Having to show certificates will help to ensure work in the home is safe."
The picture shows NAPIT chief executive John Andrews.
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Related contacts
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NAPIT
4th Floor, Mill 3, Pleasley Vale Business Park,
Mansfield, Nottinghamshire NG19 8RL
Tel: 0870 444 1392
Email: info@napit.org.uk
Web: www.napit.org.uk |
NAPIT
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