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Homes Bill announced

The DETR has added a little more detail to the tiny snippet of information contained in the Queen's speech this morning, with the announcement that the measures relating to the seller's pack and to the homeless will be tied together in a piece of legislation called the Homes Bill, to be published before the end of the year. No mention is made of the proposals relating to the new rules for leaseholders and freeholders, since that is to be contained in a separate act.

The government is eager to modernise the homebuying process, so that it becomes more streamlined, and easier and faster for consumers. It is claimed that the measures will help prevent unnecessary stress and disappointment, offer value for money, and help tackle gazumping.

The Homes bill will also include a number of measures aimed at helping those people who find themselves homeless against their own will. Amongst other things, the bill will require local authorities to work with partners from both the public and private sector in order to develop a strategy to prevent homelessness from occurring and provide better support for those households who do become homeless.