Conveyancing Reform

EDM number 1200 in 1995-96, proposed by DN Campbell-Savours on 18/07/1996.

That this House notes reports of an alleged re-emergence of house price inflation in parts of the United Kingdom; believes that the Government in failing to conduct thorough conveyancing reform and to introduce measures to ensure a more orderly market have opened the door to widescale abuse; recognises widespread public dissatisfaction with conveyancing practice nationwide that can lead to gazumping and gazundering in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and wasteful multiple surveys by purchasers particularly in Scotland; suggests that to tackle abuse an amended Scottish bed and exchange of missive system should be considered for adoption throughout the United Kingdom whereby purchasers and vendors are bound at an earlier stage; suggests to tackle the problem of multiple surveys that vendors, not purchasers should commission surveys and the duty of care of surveyors should extend to any potential purchaser; recognises that it would be sensible if copies of such surveys were retained in log books to provide a reliable history of the property for the sake of future purchasers; and calls upon the Government to set up an independent review body to examine reforms of this nature which could at little or no public cost remove endemically depressing factors from a fluctuating housing market and stimulate the wider economy.

This motion has been signed by a total of 27 MPs.