The Public's Right to Know

“Right to Know”
Many of the homeowner’s most common complaints about their houses relate to noise, thermal insulation, solidity and adaptability. Masonry built houses are renowned for excellent performance in all these areas and, when solid masonry internal walls are used can provide additional peace of mind that the solidity of the structure will withstand the potential risks associated with fire and burglary.

The THB has long been campaigning for the public’s “Right to Know” the construction method of their home, particularly as this will be the biggest financial investment any of us will make.

Public Opinion
When surveyed*, public opinion supports the “Right to Know” principle:

• 89% of people believed the construction type to be important in their choice of home
• 90% of respondents preferred the attributed of brick and block built homes
• 71% of homeowners believe that masonry homes have a long lifespan (a truth borne out by years of physical evidence)
• 69% believe that they will achieve a favourable resale value from a masonry constructed house
• 70% thought that builders should advise prospective buyers of the build type
  * source MORI 2001

Home Buyers Information Pack
Many of the homeowner's most common complaints about their houses relate to noise, thermal insulation, solidity and adaptability. Masonry built houses are renowned for excellent performance in all these areas and, when solid masonry internal walls are used, can provide additional peace of mind that the solidity of the structure will withstand the potential risks associated with fire and burglary.

Many such criteria could be taken into consideration if the homeowner was in possession of the basic build information at the start of the purchase process.

This is why the THB is backing the Home Buyers Information Pack, which will give potential buyers basic, but vital, information on the property before they have committed time and money to the process of negotiating an offer and commissioning a survey. An example of the information immediately available is the construction method used to build the house.

Association of British Insurers
These concerns were echoed by a recent comment from the Association of British Insurers, whose spokesperson expressed concerns about the potential insurance premiums associated with such experimental construction methods: “It is not apparent to us that anyone has looked into the resilience of [lightweight prefabricated] houses. […] What we build today has got to be facing the elements in 50 years’ time. Crucially, nobody has taken account of this so far […] If certain types of construction become associated with problems then they will be more expensive to insure”

Links to relevant releases:

1. THB speaks out against prefab housing
2. Climate change - will your house cope?
3. The secret of family harmony
4. E for Excellent