Article 8 and Your Privacy
I was perusing the EPC Chatter-Tracker earlier and came across a question raised by David T.C. Davies:
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps her Department has taken to ensure that the work of home inspectors complies with article 8 of the Human Rights Act.
Interesting, I thought. So I mosied on over to YourRights.org.uk to find out what Article 8 of the Human Rights Act is about. It actually relates to the "Right to Respect for Private and Family Life" and say's:
1. Everyone has the right to respect for his private and family life, his home and his correspondence.
2. There shall be no interference by a public authority with the exercise of this right except such as is in accordance with the law and is necessary in a democratic society in the interests of national security, public safety or the economic well-being of the country, for the prevention of disorder or crime, for the protection of health or morals, or for the protection of the rights and freedoms of others.
Ruth Kelly answered David T. C. Davies with this:
Ruth Kelly: The work of home inspectors will be contracted by home sellers on a voluntary basis and as such does not impinge on article 8 of the Human Rights Act.
No qualification; no elaboration, nothing!
Elaborate what? You might ask...
Well, does she mean during the current voluntary period between now and August 1st, where there are 5000 subsidised energy performance certificates up-for-grabs?
That, clearly is voluntary.
Or does she mean when you can't sell your home because the law decrees that you must have it inspected by a Domestic Energy Assessor before it can be legally marketed?
It's Your Choice
Yes, I can hear the: 'Well, it's the homeowners choice to sell, ultimately'.
Unless, of course, your employer is relocating. Or you are escaping the mad neighbour from hell; or an ex, etc...
Anyway...
