The Property Ombudsman is calling for the introduction of a new version of the much-derided Home Information Pack, abandoned by the coalition government four years ago.
Christopher Hamer says consumers would be better protected by a specific requirement that relevant information about all aspects relating to a property was disclosed in a formal document prepared by the seller.
He says that unlike the HIP, such a document should include a home condition report with information such as when the heating was installed, if the property has been subject of a flood and how often, to what depth, proximity of flood plains, subsistence issues, proximity to schools, prisons or graveyards and so on.
In my view it is right that the seller provides that and it is right that the buyer has everything that they need to know readily presented to them. For agents, it would not relieve them of their responsibilities under CPRs but such a document would certainly assist in them being aware of whether they need to draw any extra information to the buyer's attention, says Hamer.
Despite housing having become a significantly higher profile subject than in recent years, and with a general election only a year away, so far no political party has suggested a return of the Home Information Pack or any version of it.
Comments
[i]'Sorry Dave, the HIP never became compulsory, so Agents never really offered them'[/i]
You REALLY don't have a clue, do you Mr Shinerock! In 2007 HIPs became mandatory, and property could not be offered for sale without one!
Sorry Dave, the HIP never became compulsory, so Agents never really offered them. The EPC was tagged on to the HIP as a way for the Government to fulfil a commitment made to the EU. When I started Choices in 1989 for the first six years we offered an upfront fee plus reduced commission on sale on the basis of the formula 'commitment+incentive=effectiveness' we took over 6000 instructions on that basis and our sales ratio was significantly higher than no sale no fee. We only stopped when the volume of sales in the market generally made our niche proposition unviable, I accept your apology:)
[i]Once again Mr Shinerock shows a marked lack of understanding of this business.
'The original HIP was designed to make sure sellers are serious'
Wrong! the presence of a HIP was absolutely no guarantee of the seriousness of a buyer. In fact, very few buyers bothered to ask for the HIP.[/i]
Mr Shinerock was referring to the seriousness of the seller, not the buyer. I think his point was more to do with having a financial commitment from the seller before advertising their property, so 'sellers' putting there property on the market just to test the water were put off due to the upfront cost of doing so, nothing to do with the buyer, and yes a lot of agents offered them for free to gain an instruction, perhaps this is why they did not work!!
"The original HIP was designed to make sure sellers are serious" - utter nonsense. Many agents offered them free as did a large number of conveyancers. No one ever bothered to look at one.
The idea was to provide meaning information but failed when the HCR element was dropped reducing it to no more than red tape.
Once again Mr Shinerock shows a marked lack of understanding of this business.
[i]'The original HIP was designed to make sure sellers are serious'[/i]
Wrong! the presence of a HIP was absolutely no guarantee of the seriousness of a buyer. In fact, very few buyers bothered to ask for the HIP.
The purpose of HIP's was (in theory) to enable buyers to make an informed decision and to speed the conveyancing process once a buyer was in place, and was fundamentally flawed legislation.
The original HIP was designed to make sure sellers are serious, this requirement has been largely achieved by current conveyancing practice and the EPC, what we need is faster more effective conveyancing with Solicitors using modern tech
a good policy is important
Here we go again!
Another of Mr. Hamers 'suggestions'.
'Empire Building' and revenue collecting.
When will we ever get from under the yoke of these kind of organizations
Big Brother is just around the corner - vote UKIP.