Department of Human Settlements takes Housing Consumer Protection Bill to communities

The Department of Human Settlements is visiting different communities in various provinces across the country to allow public comment and participation in the formulation of the Housing Consumer Protection Bill.

In August, Cabinet approved the publication of the Housing Consumer Protection Bill for public participation and comment. The Bill repeals the current Housing Consumer Protection Measures Act, 95 of 1998. The Department of Human Settlements will conduct public information sessions in all provinces as recommended by Cabinet.

The new Bill, once passed into law, will allow the National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC), an agency of the Department of Human Settlements, more efficiency in holding builders and contractors accountable and ensure they abide by set standards and regulations. It will also strengthen government's efforts to curb the rise of unregistered builders.

Housing consumers who wish to build or buy new homes are advised to verify builders' registration credentials and home enrolment beforehand with the NHBRC in order to be covered by the warranty fund.

This month, officials from the department will visit numerous provinces, among them Eastern Cape, Free State, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal, as part of ensuring more South Africans become accustomed to the content and purpose of the Bill.

The aim of the Bill is to ensure adequate protection of housing consumers and an effective regulation mechanism by expanding the protection to consumers.

It also aims to introduce effective enforcement tools and prescribe appropriate penalties or sanctions to deter non-compliance by home builders.

Each of the forthcoming sessions are meant to reach many consumers in the provinces. The targeted stakeholders will include both public and private institutions, members of the public, civil society and community-based organisations.

Members of the media are requested to attend the sessions to help ensure more people across the provinces get all the necessary information about the Bill.

NB: See below schedule for planned visits to different communities in various provinces across the country.

Please contact Xolani Xundu for more information on 083 788 5747 or Tshepo Nkosi 082 557 9718.