news from the BRE Group
published: 14/12/2006
This press release is over six months old and the details may have been superseded. Please contact the Press Office for the latest information.
BRE Certification Receives Approval from Government to Run a Home Inspector Certification Scheme
BRE Certification, an independent third party certification body, has been appointed by The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) to operate a certification scheme for Home Inspectors. Under this scheme, which is part of the introduction of Home Information Packs (HIPs) in June 2007, Home Inspectors will be employed to prepare Home Condition reports (HCR) and Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) which will be made available to potential house purchasers.
To protect consumers the DCLG has set rigorous standards which define the requirements and responsibilities expected of Home Inspectors. The BRE Certification scheme has been designed to ensure that these rigorous standards are adhered to. The BRE Certification scheme is the home of the independent Home Inspector as it will provide the quality framework that is needed, which together with technical support from BRE specialists, will allow them to operate independently in an open market. BRE Certification is delighted that many professional bodies and the industry have welcomed the BRE Certification scheme.
Carol Atkinson, Managing Director of BRE Certification said "We are now open for business and ready to accept applications from potential Home Inspectors. Our skills, expertise and experience in certification puts us in a unique position to deliver this scheme. It will also complement the work of our sister company BRE who deliver training, assessment, advice, information and technical support to home inspectors".
The certification scheme will assess Home Inspectors against the requirements set out in the DCLG standards. This will include a review of appropriate qualifications as well as other aspects such as criminal records and financial probity. Successful applicants will be awarded certificates and placed on a central register. Certification will be maintained through sampling and checking the HCR's and EPC's to demonstrate continued compliance with the scheme standards and requirements.
BRE Certification will be using a specialist partner, Quest Associates, to deliver IT systems to support the Scheme. Quest Associates has supplied IT and computer systems relating to UK property transactions for over 20 years and is the market leader in the provision of mortgage valuation systems with its products currently handling in excess of 2,000,000 cases per year in over 7,000 installed sites. This represents over £200 billion of lending security.
Tom Parker, Managing Director of Quest Associates said " We are delighted to be working with BRE Certification on this scheme and that approval has now been received. This partnership plays to the strengths of both organisations to provide a scheme that will be effective, reliable and trusted."
The scheme is already gearing up for action and 36 inspectors are pre-registered to join. For further information visit www.breinspector.co.uk
For further information please contact BRE Certification, Garston, Watford WD25 9XX
T 01923 664 100 F 01923 664 994 E homeinspector@bre.co.uk
or visit: www.breinspector.co.uk
Please contact BRE Global (E: enquiries@breglobal.co.uk T: + 44 (0)1923 664100) if you are reading this press release past the issue date, for an update on specific product or service content.
Notes for editors
- BRE Certification (incorporating LPCB) is a sister company to BRE. We are a wholly owned subsidiary of the BRE Trust which is a registered research and education charity.
As a world leading third party certification body, BRE Certification offers internationally recognised third party certification and approval of products, systems, personnel and services.
Our approvals are designed to help a wide range of sectors, including construction; healthcare; insurance; offices; manufacturers; shops; schools; transport & infrastructure etc.
BRE Certification also offers a number of supplementary services such as testing; research; risk assessments; training and specialist advice.
- BRE is the UK's leading centre of expertise for construction, the built environment, energy, fire, security and many associated issues. It provides research, consultancy, information and testing services to customers worldwide.
- BRE and BRE Certification are owned by the BRE Trust, a registered charity (no. 1092193) with a mission to champion excellence and innovation in the built environment for the benefit of all. www.bretrust.org.uk
- Quest Associates has supplied IT and computer systems relating to UK property transactions for over 20 years.
Building on its experience in this sector, Quest has developed specific software packages to allow users to access, develop, collate and share the contents of the HIP, the Energy Performance Certificate, and the Home Condition Report, in a secure electronic environment. The company is a member of the Association of HIP Providers, and is also involved with the Government's HIP Implementation group.
Quest is the market leader in the provision of mortgage valuation systems with its products currently handling in excess of 2,000,000 cases per year in over 7,000 installed sites. This represents over £200 billion of lending security.
For further information about Quest, telephone: 01344 403450 or visit: www.questuk.com
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