Uncertainty over government 'aim' to streamline house buying process

The detailed paperwork accompanying the Queen’s Speech includes the Conservative party manifesto pledge to streamline house buying - but gives no details nor allocates any parliamentary time to achieve the objective.

The accompanying documentation issued after the speech yesterday includes the words:

“In the housing market we will look at ways we can streamline the home buying process so it is cheaper, faster and less stressful for people when they make the biggest purchase of their life.” 

However, unlike many other measures - for example, the ban on letting fees levied on tenants in England - there is no parliamentary Bill suggested to achieve this objective.

Before the General Election there was controversy when Michael Gove, now the new Environment Secretary, suggested the manifesto commitment may mark a return to some form of Home Information Pack.

There were two other “aims” included in the speech, without any indication of parliamentary time or legislation, and these were:

“We will consult and look to take action to promote transparency and fairness for leaseholders. We will look at the sale of leasehold houses and onerous ground rents, working with property developers, the Competition and Markets Authority and others as outlined in the Housing White Paper”, and

“We will consult and look to take action to promote transparency and fairness for leaseholders. We will look at the sale of leasehold houses and onerous ground rents, working with property developers, the Competition and Markets Authority and others as outlined in the Housing White Paper.”