>4 May 2000

MINISTER WELCOMES CONSUMER COUNCIL REPORT ON HOUSE BUYING

Mr George Howarth, MP, Minister for Social Development, welcomed the publication today by the General Consumer Council for Northern Ireland of its report "Improving the House Buying Process".

Mr Howarth said, " With around 70% home owner occupation in Northern Ireland many people have first hand experience of buying a house. This can be a very stressful and time consuming business and the General Consumer Council is to be commended for the work it has done in producing proposals to speed up and make the process easier."

The General Consumer Council's proposals include a recommendation that the Department for Social Development set up a working party to take forward the introduction of a Seller's Information Pack and other reforms in Northern Ireland.

Mr Howarth commented: "This is a helpful suggestion. I will now wish to consider how best Government can contribute to improving the process." He went on to explain that a pilot study was taking place in Bristol on the introduction of a Seller's Information Pack in England and Wales. He said: " The evaluation of the

outcome of this study later this year will provide valuable lessons for Northern Ireland and will inform decisions on the way forward."

The Minister referred to the many professional bodies associated with the house buying process. He said that they too had an important role to play in helping to relieve some of the stress and strain of buying a house by providing a quality service at a reasonable price. He added: " If significant improvements are to be made to the way in which we buy and sell our houses, it will require the collective efforts of all the players in the housing market and a willingness and commitment from everyone to try and help both the house buyer and the seller."

NOTE TO EDITORS:

This statement was issued in response to the Northern Ireland Consumer Council's Report "Improving the House Buying Process".