In December 1979 the Conveyancing Committee recommended that solicitors should only insist on Certificates of Compliance with Planning Permission in relation to secondhand houses built since 1st January, 1970.

The Committee has received many queries in connection with this matter and it seems clear that the practice of getting Certificates of Compliance with Planning Permission in relation to all new houses was not as widespread as the Committee was led to believe when it made its original recommendation. Representations have been made to the Committee that in view of the fact that the date chosen is almost 19 years ago, that some adjustment be made in the date and also that some steps should be taken to lobby for some statutory limit in relation to planning.

Having considered the matter very carefully the Committee has decided that:

1. It is now revising its recommendation to only insist on Certificates of Compliance with Planning Permission in relation to houses built since 1st January, 1975. Consequential changes to the Contract and to the Requisitions will be made at the next reprint. It is not intended that this date would be reviewed regularly. The Committee has chosen a date at which it is satisfied it either was or should have been universal practice in relation to the purchase of new houses to obtain Certificates of Compliance.

2. The Society made representations several years ago to the Department of the Environment seeking the imposition of some statutory limit in relation to planning breaches. It is also understood that the topic may be dealt with in a forthcoming Report by the Law Reform Commission.