Housing Improvement Task Force

I refer to previous articles regarding HITF and now advise you about the further progress being made by the HITF Single Survey Steering Group. You may also wish to look at the Single Survey Steering Group website at www.scotland.gov.uk/sssg where you will find all the papers and minutes from the four meetings held to date. The Group will hold further meetings throughout the next few months. You should also shortly receive a newsletter from the Executive called “Pilot”. This will give you further helpful information. The proposed date of the start of the pilot is 26 April 2004.

Distributing the single survey

I mentioned discussions on distribution in my article in the January Journal. The topic was aired again at the last meeting. Essentially it is now anticipated that it will be up to the selling agent to control how the single survey is distributed. The name and address of each person obtaining a copy of the single survey is needed for the pilot evaluation process. As a result, it is now anticipated that the buyer will contact the selling agent to express an interest in the property and give their address details etc. The single survey will then be posted out or emailed to them. It may also be possible for the single survey to be put on a website as a “read only” document. Access to the website may be on a password-protected basis and the SSSG site may be linked to, for example, the websites maintained by the solicitors’ property centres. The detail of this is still to be finalised.  

Obviously it is essential for the single survey web infrastructure to be built and tested very quickly now. Selling agents will require training on what can and cannot be achieved through this. Stewart Brymer and I have confirmed to the steering group that early completion of the web system and confirmation of the timetable for training is essential.

Content of the single survey

At the January meeting, RICS presented the latest version of the single survey, pointing out that some aspects still required to be finalised but that they had taken on various points made by Professor Brian Sloan of Napier University who is the external assessor.

There are still a small number of matters which require to be ironed out in relation to the content and form of the single survey, but essentially it is more or less in its final form.

Hidden defects insurance

The Executive had hoped that they might be able to contract with an insurance provider for cover for all single surveys completed in the pilot, but this is not now going to be possible due to the complex rules surrounding Government procurement. However, the availability of hidden defects insurance is still recognised as a worthwhile incentive to participation in the pilot and other alternatives are now being explored. I will advise you of the position when details are finalised.

Transfer of liability

The Steering Group is taking legal advice regarding the transfer of surveyors’ liability from the seller who will instruct the single survey, to the successful purchaser. RICS are also taking advice regarding this matter and the question of liability still requires to be firmed up, although given the commencement date of the pilot it is hoped that this matter will be resolved shortly.

Valuation on property particulars

This has been discussed at a couple of meetings and there were arguments for and against the inclusion of the valuation in the sales particulars as well as in the single survey itself. At the meeting in January however it was concluded that the valuation should not be included in the particulars. It was also agreed that there should be a consistent form of words in the particulars to alert consumers to the existence of a single survey and how it could be obtained.

Communication strategy

As I indicated above, the Executive is preparing a newsletter named “Pilot”. This is aimed at the professionals who will be participating in the single survey pilot. I hope that by the time you read this you will have received your copy. It was agreed by the Steering Group that there is a need to inform everyone likely to be involved in the pilot including buyers and sellers, but this newsletter is primarily to be distributed to the professionals involved. It is thought that leaflets will be produced for the general public. The Executive is working on these. RICS are also preparing their own explanatory leaflet for consumers and this should be made available through solicitors, estate agents and property centres.

If you have any questions or queries regarding the single survey you may be able to find the answer by looking at the FAQs on the Steering Group website. These were to be available from the end of January.

I hope my articles are providing you with some information about the single survey pilot process. I am relaying all the information I have available to me and shall write again as further information becomes available. If you have any questions or queries I would be more than happy to try to answer these. Please contact me at the Society either by email at linseylewin@lawscot.org.uk or telephone on 0131 476 8174.