The UK's DCLG (Department for Communities and Local Government) has today approved RICS to regulate those members who wish to carry out home condition reports as part of the government’s proposed Home Information Packs (HIPs).

Commenting on the approval Steven Gould, RICS Director of Professional Regulation and Consumer Protection, said:

"We are delighted to be able to provide this new, not-for-profit regulatory service to our members.

"RICS has an extensive regulatory regime in place for its members which is already in line with Government better regulation principles and we are pleased that this has been acknowledged by DCLG.   

"RICS will be able to set a subscription rate for its members substantially below that of other prospective schemes, since it is already monitoring these members for key regulatory requirements such as:

• Lifelong learning
• Professional Indemnity Insurance
• Complaints handling

"As everyone knows, we have had our differences in the past with DCLG over the details of the implementation regime adopted to deliver this aspect of the Housing Act, but we are committed to working with the Department and our members to improve the home buying and selling process for the benefit of consumers".

For the full press release please see the right hand panel of this page.

RICS view on Home Information Packs and home buying reform.