Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering – Written evidence (UKH0038)

I am writing with regards to the above call for evidence and whilst some of the questions raised are outside the remit of the CIPHE there are a number of issues of direct concern and interest.

The government has made a number of ambitious targets with regards to new build properties and also its low carbon aspirations Firstly, it is unlikely that 300,000 new homes will be built each year and further unlikely that 600,000 heat pump installations will take place each year by 2028. Reasons for such failure may include Brexit, Covid-19 and supply chain issues. However, in reality there have been infrastructure problems for many years resulting in a shortage of skilled installers, lack of ongoing training (Continuing Professional Development) and increases in poor workmanship which cause detriment to the public. Statistics available by NHS Digital show the increase in scalds from hot water and burns from heating appliances over the last seven years. Likewise reports from Public Health England show the amount of cases and deaths attributed to Legionnaires’ disease. Separate to this insurance underwriters are concerned that ‘Escape of Water’ insurance claims, mainly due to poor workmanship, exceed £1.6bn per year.

It is arguable that in order to improve the quality of new homes more interaction should take place with Clerk of Works/Building Inspectors especially prior to completion and handover of properties. We are still awaiting the introduction of an ombudsman which was first announced some three years ago. The government has claimed that ‘We intend to legislate to require all new developers to belong to a new homes ombudsman. House buyers should be confident that when they purchase a new home, they get the quality of build and finish they expected.’

The introduction of the ombudsman should not be delayed any longer!

Another issue that was first considered some twenty years ago was for bathrooms to be built in such a way that changing them from a fixed bath to a shower wet room would be seamless. This undoubtedly adds cost to the initial project costs but it gives greater flexibility to an aging population when change is required. Technological innovations have the potential to address demand-supply imbalances by facilitating other adaptability solutions so that homes are built that meet different needs at different stages in life. The Covid-19 pandemic resulted in employers encouraging staff to work from home for sustained periods and in many instances this will continue to be encouraged. Future housing stock should facilitate this provision.

The above reference to ‘legislate’ is also apt because an ideal way to improve and maintain standards would be through the introduction of legislation such as business and individual licensing along with mandatory CPD. If such a measure was adopted it would enhance the competence and confidence of installers especially those involved with safety critical aspects of construction and engineering. In addition to this a skills scan should be introduced to raise the competency of those involved in engineering related disciplines (plumbing, heating, electrical) with a view to achieving a minimum qualification of NVQ Level 3 or equivalent. Scotland has always advocated SVQ Level 3 as an industry agreed minimum level of competency.

It should be noted that those in possession of NVQ Level 2 are still required to work under supervision and sadly only approximately one third of candidates with this qualification achieve NVQ Level 3.

Consideration also need to be given to the outcome of the Grenfell Inquiry which will undoubtedly call for greater competence for those working on High Risk Residential Buildings, although this might be extended to other premises to be at risk.

As a consequence of difficulties for first time buyers purchasing their own home there has been an increase in the amount of Landlords with various types of tenancy arrangements. A future trend will undoubtedly result in first time buyers renting one room or more to help offset their mortgage. Legislation covers many activities but private Landlords renting rooms to ‘Excluded Tenants’ appear to be exempt from accountability. Measures should be taken to ensure that anyone renting a room to a third party should need to comply with equivalent requirements including: tenancy agreements, deposit schemes, production of inventories, display of Landlords Gas Safety Certificates etc.

You might wish to take a look at CIPHE’s manifesto which covers some of the issues raised above: https://www.ciphe.org.uk/newsroom/Latest_News/manifesto2021/

September 2021