The controversial seller’s pack legislation has been shelved for another session by the Government, according to sources within the Department of Transport Local Government and the Regions.
A spokesperson within DTLR said that the Homes Bill, which proposed the introduction of the seller’s packs and to tackle homelessness, would not be resurrected. “Instead the legislation will be separated and the homelessness element will be introduced alone.”
New housing minister Lord Falconer confirmed the split in a speech to the Chartered Institute of Housing’s annual conference in Harrogate. “Expect a homelessness bill very shortly,” he said.
The DTLR have said that there is a possibility that the seller’s pack legislation could go through if there is extra time at the end of the parliamentary session. “It is still a manifesto pledge, but it will not be a priority for this session.”
However, as the Queen’s Speech has already promised a full list of constitutional reforms, on top of reforms in education and welfare, it is unlikely that free time can be found.
Head of policy at the RICS Michael Chambers said that it was “a huge set-back”. “There’s now no way that seller’s packs could be introduced before 2004 or 2005 at the earliest. In the meantime the whole house-buying sector has been left in limbo,” he said.
EGi News 21/06/01
