The Lib Dems – whose leader Nick Clegg easily outshone Cameron and Brown in last night's televised debate – have set the cat among the pigeons by including a promise to ditch HIPs in their election manifesto.
The surprise inclusion means that in the event of a hung parliament where the Lib Dems hold the balance of power, HIPs are reasonably likely to be abolished.
Were there a Lib Dem coalition with the Conservatives, HIPs would certainly go, as the Tories have also made ditching HIPs a manifesto commitment. The two parties now look to be the proverbial dream ticket.
Interestingly, the Lib Dem manifesto promises on planning are almost identical to the Conservatives’.
If there were a Lib Dem coalition with Labour, then the removal of HIPs could be one of several measures Labour would have to sacrifice to secure the Lib Dems’ co-operation.
The Lib Dems have already made it plain how serious they are about any deals they might do, letting it be widely known that if there were a pact with Labour, they would not want Gordon Brown as prime minister.
However, the manifesto promise to get rid of HIPs was unexpected. Although the party has often condemned the measure, it was in fact the Lib Dems themselves – in the Lords – who allowed HIPs to get on to the statute book by dropping their opposition at the very last minute. Had they stuck to their guns and continued their united stance with the Tories, HIPs would not have passed on to the statute books.
Also in the Lib Dem manifesto is the so-called Mansion Tax, at 1% on properties over £2m. There are also various ‘green’ measures involving insulation and incentives to replace out of date boilers and install double glazing.
The party also wants to encourage farmers to convert existing buildings into affordable housing.
HIPs industry faces new election setback
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Comments
I have instructed AHIPP's counsel to initiate immediate empty threats against Nick Clegg, the Liberal Democrats, their supporters and anyone wearing yellow. AHIPP will not accept any challenge to its members' income streams, not least by an elected government. Nick Clegg will do well to listen very carefully to the advice offered by AHIPP as it is only this organisation that can speak with authority on the property market. Our members have been active in the market for almost 3 years and have made substantial profits from reselling information at a premium. Any fool knows that what a failing property market needs is more bureaucracy and commissions for middle men.
Rob: Thanks for the response - you are as much of a saddo as I to post at crazy times!
I completely agree with you the examples you list - ESPECIALLY that you refer to as 'etc'...
But that has been my point all along regarding HIPs: you cannot remove the human factor from the housebuying and selling process, thus making a HIP pointless in the Government's utopian view of it cancelling out fall-throughs. I would be the first to agree that up-front information enables a more informed decision to be made, but I also maintain that all the up-front information in the world does not guarantee a successful sale - nor does it mean that the buyer will even sniff at the information before making their decision! Professional buyers want all information laid out in front of them. They buy only when the product is right, the price is right, and will be delivered on time. Most homebuyers are outright amateurs, and buy with their eyes and hearts, not their heads.
When the government can control human nature, wants and desires - then we have REAL trouble...
Morning PeeBee, by chain breakdowns I meant unforseeable events with clients like, death, accident, divorce, change of mind etc. I recognised and have acknowledged from day one that the basic Hip was not going to do the job it was set out for. Hence the mission I have been on for the last 6 years! Just trying to explain to monopoly that there are many things that need changing and improving in the home buying and selling process to make it quicker, more certain ans less stressful.
Rob: I'm normally with you all the way, remember... but look at your point #3 below. Chain breakdowns - the whole idea of HIPs was to remove chain breakdowns by simplifying the buying process, wasn't it?
Not a great example to use in response, I'm afraid...
Monopoly, how long you got? Basic Hips, not exchange ready; mortgage delays; chain breakdowns; client delays; general inefficiency; legal problems; CML red tape; law soc red tape; government red tape, etc etc etc It all needs a bloody good overhaul.
lawyers in sussex still take 3 months from offer to completion and that's with hips. why do lawyers take so long?
Down in the bunker, a plan is afoot....
Anyone having trouble getting paid by one property or hipco as they used to be known??
Same advert for years, same cheesy staff, it must be down to a red for sale board..dont quite get how people keep falling for it..
Hahaha oneils,,,you for got to sign off as conn- eels
Scrap HIPs? Are these politicians barking mad? We make millions of pounds out of selling HIPs to suckers - I mean clients - for £99 up front and then another £399 when they want to take it away from us. Oh - and the £150 'admin fee'. In fact, we don't have to sell a single property to make squillions! AND we have been able to prove beyond a shadow of doubt that HIPs are speeding up transaction times. That's 'transaction' as in 'payment' and 'speeding up' as in 'running faster to the bank to put all the lovely dosh in our account'. Hurrah for that nice, honest, Mr Brown. He gets my vote any day!
Hmmm... two posts removed on this story - while I might just understand one of them (although I quickly add that MANY people say far worse things without censure...), the other baffles me. Admin - have I upset you all of a sudden??
....and best of all, NOBODY reads or wants it!!
How can anyne fight the HIPs cause with dignity? It's pretty cringeful really. A Noney Mouse - is the agent making a healthy mark up by any chance?! In response to Jim - volume is steady at the moment. If it is likely that HIPs will be scrapped, then yes, of course people will delay selling their home. A small blip until May (we have got through worse) and then we can get back on track. A hip is a tax on selling your home, packaged in a bundle of A4 that has been put together as cheaply as possible.
A Noney Mouse. Ed Mead is one Estate Agent/media whore who says " they're not all that bad" - Doesn't mean he thinks they're good.
At the risk of being pedantic, the Lib Dems were always opposed to HIPS which is why the last minute break from their alliance with the Tories in The Lords for the sake of expediency was so unforgiveable. One month later the official party policy was again to oppose HIPS.
I can assure readers who might be tempted to vote Lib Dem that the holy than thou attitude portrayed in the media is far from the truth in reality. I speak as a former Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate who was actively involved in the HIPS debacle and who has crossed the floor!
Richard Copus
Legislation! Make it compulsory to instruct a conveyancer to to prepare everything under the one roof within a fixed timescale. HIP's are mainly just conveyancing procedures.
How do we make it happen Ray, I have been trying since 2004.
A gold star for me, that is a first, must tell mum.
Well done Rob Hailstone, Have a gold star.
Rob, If conveyancers had to be instructed at the same time as marketing commenced the same thing could be provided by a 'one stop shop'
Seperate HIP providers are not necessary.
Just produced one Hip for an elderley lady and discovered her deeds have gone awol. Her property is large and unregistered. She now has time to apply to the land registry for a new deeds, before a buyer has been found. Saving a lot of stress and heartache at a more important and difficult time.
Also produced a Hip on a leasehold flat this week adding: damp course guarantees, listed building consent, service charge payment details, roof renewal work info, gas safety record, electric check record,etc. Now in the process of obtaining memo and arts of association, share cert, accounts and insurance details etc. With a bit of thought and effort these things (the dreaded Hip) are helpful in more ways than one.
It is people like you ANM that are now even loathe to admit being a HIP provider, as becoming one cost them dearly and now you are sitting on a knife edge, perhaps become an Inventory provider next .
Stuart, I might be,I might also be a trapeze artist. The point is that Ed Mead isn't a Hip provider, he is an estate agent and he is being quoted, not a Hip provider.
HIP HIP HOORAY - BELIEVE IT OR NOT THERE WAS A HIP PROVIDER OUTFIT BY THIS CRAP NAME WHICH UNSURPRISINGLY WENT DOWN THE PAN IN FEBRUARY. THEY MUST HAVE HEARD WHAT THE POLITICIANS WERE PLANNING AND THROWN IN THE TOWEL.
Good! Anything that reduces government dictats that are a negative and costly influence on our lives and are a complete waste of time - like HIP's - is a good thing.
However EPC's are an EU Directive and currently no government can do away with them.
P.S. Mr Ockenden - off you go to the 'job centre'
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This post has been removed by site admin
Are you a HIP provider by any chance A Noney Mouse?
HIPs are an absolute waste of money. Purchasers never want to see them and solicitors do not trust them. EPCs can be very quickly out of date. Come the glorious day in May both should be scrapped with a big apology for wasting peoples time and money.
Daily Mail today: Ed Mead of Estate Agents Douglas & Gordon "Agents have got used to Hips and they're not all that bad." At last, a pro-active, lateral thinking, modern agent! Adapt, don't scrap.
If you an estate agent and you're wondering why people are not putting their houses up for sale just yet, there's your answer.
Shall we expect Mr Ockendon to direct his anger at the poor Lib Dems now ?