Comments on whether the government's seller's packs will work
  • With regard to your request for comment on whether the government's seller's packs will work, I am a chartered surveyor who is sceptical that the system will work as planned, if at all.

    I am most eager to find out how professional liability will be assessed. Nobody seems to be sure if the property vendor, the purchaser or the introducing estate agent could be entitled to make a claim for negligence. They could become a legal minefield – despite their so-called simplicity.

    Further increases in PI premiums could significantly increase condition survey fees, while compounding the problem of not enough surveyors to do the work. Would-be condition surveyors who are not very experienced might not be aware what they are letting themselves in for!
    JA Lyness MRICS, via email.

  • No. They will not work. Another stupid nanny-state overreaction to a minimal problem, which will greatly add to the burden of cost and bureaucracy faced by the unfortunate housebuyer and seller. Why on earth are they even considering applying it to new houses? Ridiculous.
    Steve Sayers, via email.

  • The RICS's negative comments on the seller's pack just smack of a private monopoly being upset by state regulation. The Home Information Packs will be the duty of the seller, not the buyer. This will help buyers, who all too often pay for surveys that do not give sufficient protection.
    John S. Bone, via email

  • Yes, of course these can work – but not if people like the RICS continually snipe negatively from the sidelines instead of reaching out for the challenges and providing the resources.
    Alan Jenkins, via email.

  • As a buyer who has spent £2500 this year attempting to buy two properties, the first of which fell through and the second of which is in danger of doing so now a subsidence claim has come to light, I would welcome the introduction of seller's packs.

    Firstly, it would show that the vendor was serious about selling. Secondly, any problems are likely to be sorted out before the property is put on the market. Thirdly, estate agents could give a realistic valuation based on the actual condition of the property, avoiding the issue of problems coming to light after considerable expenditure by the potential purchaser.
    Carole Bonner, via email.