Explanatory note

This Order requires estate agents in England and Wales to be members of an approved redress scheme for the purpose of dealing with complaints related to Home Information Packs. The Secretary of State has approved, pursuant to section 173 of the Housing Act 2004, a redress scheme to be run by the Ombudsman for Estate Agents and details of the scheme are available on the DTI website. The requirement to belong to an approved redress scheme only applies to persons who engage in estate agency work as defined in section 1 of the Estate Agents Act 1979. A Regulatory Impact Assessment in respect of this Order is available and a copy can be obtained from the Department of Trade and Industry or from its website at www.dti.gov.uk.