AHIPP responds to government announcement on HIPS

Mike Ockenden, Director General, Association of Home Information Pack Providers (AHIPP) comments on today’s announcement by Yvette Cooper and Ruth Kelly on Home Information Packs (HIPs):

“The Government’s announcement today further reinforces their commitment to making HIPs a success and should act as a catalyst for all in industry to get prepared for the 1st of June.

“It is good to see Government’s recognition of the vital role that HIPs will play in addressing the environmental impact of homes, following the Stern report into climate change.

“Industry should feel reassured that third party company, Mori, has been selected to independently appraise the success of the area trails and we are delighted to announce our own findings that suggests that consumers like packs and that agents are finding them useful when marketing a property.

“Allowing properties to be put on the market, after local searches (and in the case of leasehold properties, leasehold documents) have been ordered, but not necessarily delivered, will eliminate any initial hold ups regarding the marketing of the property in the preliminary stages of implementation. The six month period, prior to the reviewing of these arrangements will allow time for the issuing of Government’s new guidance, allowing them to work with Local Authorities and the private sector towards delivering a new, more efficient and cost effective search service.

“This should also allow time for the Home Condition Report (HCR), if commissioned by the consumer, to be assessed and will underline the vital role of the HCR, eventually leading to its reinstatement as a mandatory element of the pack.

“Agents who have previously opposed the packs should be reassured by this statement that there is no intention to slow down the marketing of a property. We must now all work together to get the necessary processes in place to ensure that consumers receive the best possible service and that they get to experience the true benefits from this much needed reform.”