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News Story

Survey on HIPs closes after 'hijack' attempt

Friday 29th May 2009

SPLINTA founder Nick Salmon has had to close his survey into attitudes towards HIPs after it was ‘hijacked’.

The survey asked agents and other property professionals whether they would support a partial or total boycott of HIPs, and whether they would join an anti-HIP demonstration in London.

It also asked whether they had found that HIPs were adversely affecting the market by discouraging possible sellers, and whether the Conservatives’ pledge to ditch HIPs would influence their voting intentions.

However, after a flurry of posts about the survey on a forum for Domestic Energy Assessors and Home Inspectors, Salmon said he had no option but to halt the survey.

He said: “I can tell by the pattern of responses that someone organised a concerted blitz of pro-HIP answers, because after days of mixed answers, there was a sudden glut of pro-HIP answers all within minutes of one another.

“I have therefore closed the survey and will stand on the statistics that you have already published.”

He added: “I do find it amusing that the DEAs/HIs are getting hot under the collar about estate agents potentially boycotting HIPs. All we have been gauging is the strength of feeling.

“The perpetrators know the days of HIPs are numbered. It is just a shame that their infantile behaviour has spoiled what might have been a useful bit of market research.”

He said it was a pity that CLG had not done a proper survey, with questions derived from professional researchers and overseen by the main stakeholders, both pro and anti.

The initial survey results, which it is believed analysed 250 opinions, were published on EAT on Wednesday and can be found in the news archive.

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Posted By Wooden Top on Tuesday 2nd June 2009 10:03:44

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No matter what you think, HIP's are going to be dead very soon. Anyone with a sense of business knows that. The sooner employees of HIP providers realise that, the better. Jump ship now and get another job before you ARE REDUNDANT. Stop arguing and get your head out of the the sand. Isn't feeding your wife and kids more important than politics?

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Posted By PS on Monday 1st June 2009 11:53:01

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Seems to me that the results were not going as he had planned and could not face reporting positive results.

So much for a survey !! maybe the small print should of said you could only respond if you have negative comments.

When will he realise that HIPs are benefitting the market and consumers.

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Posted By Leon on Friday 29th May 2009 20:56:48

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Ha ha. So a "survey" sent to anti-HIP supporters is more credible than when pro-HIP supporters take part!

If this were a balanced article then why isn't there a response from this so-called forum? Or does it exists?

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Posted By Rob Hailstone - Hipag on Friday 29th May 2009 12:57:28

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Chris, do you mean AHIPP, not Hipag?

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Posted By chris wood on Friday 29th May 2009 09:52:21

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Perhaps HIPAG would like to pay for some truly independent research amongst estate agents, or might that just cause a few problems?

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Posted By JM on Friday 29th May 2009 09:42:01

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Hilarious!! Opinions that aren't shared by Nick Salmon must surely be a 'hijack'. How can you accuse anyone of infantile behaviour and then make such ridiculous comments???

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Editorial Contact Details - Rosalind Renshaw | rosalind.renshaw@estateagenttoday.co.uk | 01252 843 566.