HUMAN SETTLEMENTS TO START PUBLIC HEARINGS ON HOUSING CONSUMER PROTECTION BILL

Parliament, Wednesday, 20 April 2022 – The Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements will from 22 to 24 April 2022 hold public hearings on the Housing Consumer Protection Bill [B10-2021] to garner views of the public about the Bill. The hearings will start in the Eastern Cape, with three hearings scheduled.
 
Public consultation and participation are a constitutional requirement that Parliament is obliged to undertake within its decision-making processes. “These hearings are in line with Section 59 (1) of the Constitution, which urges for public involvement in the legislative making process of the Assembly. Also, we are hopeful that as the primary beneficiaries of the protections proposed by the Bill, participants will present qualitative inputs aimed at improving the Bill to ensure that it meets daily challenges,” said Ms Machwene Semenya, the Chairperson of the committee.
 
At the centre of the Bill is regulating and streamlining processes to ensure consumers’ protection within the home building environment. Through this Bill, it is hoped that home builders will benefit by appointing registered builders, which will ensure quality housing as well as extend protection through the extension of warranty cover.  
 
The Bill proposes these protections through the repeal of the Housing Consumers Protection Measures Act of 1998 by providing protections for housing consumers, the registration of home builders, the continuance of the home warranty fund and sets out the framework to claim against the fund as well as the continuance of the National Home Builders Registration Council as the National Home Building Regulatory Council. At the centre of the Bill is the need to protect the consumer and ensure that they are able to access warranty cover should they need it.
 
Also, an important pillar of the Bill is its transformative outlook, which seeks to improve builders and downstream the consumers. This protection is proposed through the Bill’s call for registration of builders which will require proper training for builders, which will enable full economic participation. Furthermore, a database of registered builders and their grading would assist the sector in knowing what builders are available and at what level.
 
The committee invites all individuals and interested organisations to come and make inputs on the Bill, to ensure that the final product is reflective of their will and aspirations. The committee is cognisant that these hearings happen while the country continues to face the risks posed by Covid-19. Covid regulations will be implemented to ensure the safety of all participants.
 
Details of the Hearings (Day 1)
Date: Friday, 22 April 2022
Time: 10:00
Venue: Ikhwezi Hall, Khwezi Township Umthatha

Download the full programme of the Eastern Cape Hearings: https://tinyurl.com/587ydnxw
 
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SETTLEMENTS. MS MACHWENE SEMENYA.