Deeside developed software helps house sales revolution
Deeside IT company Samarind has developed software key to a revolution in the housing market.
Deeside IT company Samarind has developed software key to a revolution in the housing market.
From June 1 anyone selling a house will have to provide prospective buyers with a Home Information Pack (HIP). The HIP will include proof that any essential work on the property has been carried out by an accredited professional. It has now been made law that for certain work affecting plumbing or heating, a homeowner must employ a plumber or heating contractor who is a member of a Competent Persons Scheme.
The Association of Plumbers and Heating Contractors (APHC) is running this element of the Competent Persons Scheme on behalf of the Government. Samarind, based on Deeside Industrial Park, has created new systems for the APHC that will make complying with the new law a straightforward process for both the house seller and the tradesperson.
"We've created an online portal for the APHC, where plumbers and heating engineers can log in securely and notify the organisation of any work they have carried out," explained Samarind’s Software Director Miranda Pothiawala.
"First of all, the software developed by Samarind checks that the tradesperson is qualified to do the work he's undertaken. Then the information on the work is gathered and automatically forwarded to a printer, who will send a certificate to the householder for inclusion in their HIP. The information is also sent automatically to the relevant local authority, so that when a solicitor carries out a search on the property, he will see that the work has been done."
Thanks to Samarind's tailor-made software, this complicated process is carried out automatically.
Miranda added: "Working for a national body involved in Government legislation, this is an important contract for us. It was a major task to develop software capable of performing all the required functions and to ensure it integrated with local authorities' systems."
CEO of the APHC, Clive Dickin, is delighted with Samarind's work.
"This was a big investment for us and we’re very satisfied with the result," he said. "The front end is user-friendly and secure and the processes are working very efficiently."
Samarind directors Miranda and Sadik Pothiawala celebrated the launch of the APHC Competent Persons Scheme with Clive Dickin at a glittering ceremony on board HMS Belfast in London.
For more information on Samarind, please visit http://www.samarind.co.uk/ or contact Carly McKay: carly@samarind.co.uk or 01244 288281.
For more information on the Association of Plumbers and Heating Contractors and the Competent Persons Scheme, please visit www.aphc.co.uk, http://www.competentplumber.co.uk/ or contact Nick Campion: nick.campion@aphc.co.uk or 07958 695778.