MPs are to discuss proposals to introduce a licensing scheme for builders undertaking domestic building works in England in Parliament this week.
The debate comes after Conservative MP Mark Garnier introduced a private member’s bill called the Domestic Building Works (Consumer Protection) Bill.
Currently, anyone is able to call themselves a builder without having to demonstrate and training or qualifications, while protections for consumers are limited.
The Bill aims to protect consumers who are not professional property developers and to “promote fair competition among reputable builders”.
The Bill would require sole traders, partnerships and other companies including primary contractors and subcontractors to be licensed, with fines for companies who undertook work without a licence.
Meanwhile, it would create an ombudsman service to resolve disputes between consumers and licensees.
The Bill was originally presented to the House of Commons in June this year and will have its second reading later this week.
Private members’ bills are not government bills and generally don’t succeed in making it into law, however time is set aside to debate such bills, which are introduced by MPs who are not a member of the cabinet. Time is allocated to private members’ bills on 13 Fridays a year in the House of Commons and there is no guarantee the debate will finish in the time available. Even if it passes a second reading, it is likely to need the support of government to become law.
