David Thompson says training as an inspector cost him �14,000

David Thompson believes it is fortunate that he met lots of solicitors during his training to become a home inspector, because he is going to use their expertise to see whether there is any legal action he can take against the government.

It took 12 months and �14,000 for Mr Thompson, 44, to get his diploma in home inspection.

He was ready to start work in little over a week's time, on 1 June, but is furious now that the government has announced that the introduction of Home Information Packs (Hips) in England and Wales is being delayed by two months.

Apology

"For me it means I could be unemployed until 1 August and the insurance and certification money I've spent for June and July is wasted," he said.

Mr Thompson, father of six-year-old Harvey, said he would have to try to find short-term work or his wife Helen, a part-time midwife, may have to work extra hours.

I'd like some recognition of the costs involved. After all, we've been put in this position by government policy David Thompson

He's also angry that the packs will be introduced in August - a low point for house sales - and initially only for four-bedroom houses.

The government has said that once more assessors are trained, the requirement to have a Hip will be extended to smaller properties.

"I'd like to know what the rationale is for four-bedroom houses," said Mr Thompson.

"It's a bit vague because I'm sure there'll be a flexible approach from estate agents to make sure that four beds become three beds and a big study."

'Dog's dinner'

After 14 years as a health service manager, he had set up a home care agency looking after older people and special needs children.

To pay for his training he sold the agency and worked part time as a consultant. The year-long diploma course involved a combination of home study and trips from his home in Brighton, Sussex, to Manchester University.

Hips were due to be introduced on 1 June

He is now qualified to issue home condition reports on the state of a house from chimney stack to drain.

Halfway through his training, he said the government decided that sellers would need only part of this assessment - the energy performance certificate.

Mr Thompson said some people decided to abandon the course at this point, but he persevered.

"I'd like an apology from the government to all of us that have gone through so much training at such a high level.

"We've been left waiting for politicians to make decisions, when they keep changing the policy based on what appears to be the views of vested interests.

"I'd like some recognition of the costs involved, particularly the wasted costs of the next two months. After all, we've been put in this position by government policy.

"I've been dealing with solicitors during my training and now I will sit down with them and see what my options are."

He summed up the government's approach as a "dog's dinner", adding: "Having done training in managing change I imagine this would be a good case study in lessons to be learned."