New HIP rules are discouraging sellers, say agents

Absolutely right Major, most people don't know, don't care. Why should they? Never did before. HIPs are for the pro's not the punters. Let them make up their minds? Sure, on what basis? Some will, most won't. Not cause HIPs are bad, but because they know nothing about how things happen when you buy & sell. That's asking for chaos worse than before. It's like saying, I'll make up my own mind whether I get my old banger MOT'd. Why should anyone interfere? I drive the thing, I know it's sound enough. I live in my house. Why should I tell anyone else about it's little foibles, let them find out if they can. And if they do & don't like it, tough, I'll flog it to someone else who's a bit thicker. Harumph.

• 27 May 2009 18:14 PM

Yeh right...HIPS are as likely to stay as there is chance of finding an honest MP.

• 27 May 2009 15:08 PM

right, if hips are so fandabeedozee (showing my age here)and they are so great for consumers, why doesn't the law change and allow them to decide whether they want one or not (im sure if they like HIPs they will order one). explain the benefits and they can make an informed, adult decision about it rather than being forced into it, thats the biggest problem, pretty much no consumer awareness and then its left to the agent to tell them they have to have HIP at their own expense! half the people we deal with still know very little about HIPS in general and the other half dont know much more!

• 27 May 2009 14:26 PM

Oh dear Oedipus. Mummy has been telling you bad things again...

• 27 May 2009 13:07 PM

HIPs in one form or another, regardless of government are here to stay. Sorry.

• 27 May 2009 12:17 PM

Don't know what wooden top means by no you can't but yes you can market an unregistered property with the index map search. Regulation 14(1)(f) if you can't be bothered to check yourself. And obviously anti-HIP people are going to be totally ant-efficiency as well & aren;t going to bother to go to an efficient service. Any HIP to satisfy marketing should be available in no more than 3 days. And these numpties who say they exchanged with no HIP, just don't get it do they? Everything that has to go in a HIP is needed to exchange. So it's been obtained, just not by the brain dead person who should have done their job properly to serve their client's interests.

• 27 May 2009 12:12 PM

KC ... no you can't!!!

• 27 May 2009 11:38 AM

To those who keep on about the SPEED of producing HIPs.
That is NOT the issue.

It is whether HIPs are needed at all! So stop clouding the issue.

They do nothing for the sale process and are just a nice little earner for the providers - and the governments VAT take.

• 27 May 2009 11:30 AM

Right - those of you who read my ramblings know that I am as anti-HIP as most. But, come on...an anonymous survey that anyone can take as many times as they like is hardly solid grounds for argument, is it? I commend Nick et al for their passion - lord knows we need as many champions of the cause as possible (INCLUDING the NAEA who, along with SPLINTA are doing far more about publicising the cause than the RICS, don't forget...), but put some real meat on the bone! Surely someone can come up with a downloadable form for Agents, solicitors etc - not forgetting members of the public who feel strongly enough to be counted - to fill in and fax/email to a nominated collection point. These could then be presented in a (large) file to those who need to be shown the depth of resentment for this crippling piece of legislatory claptrap. The realisation as to the income the government are losing out on in terms of lost revenue from sales alone should be sufficient to bring about change; but don't forget the Chancellor needs professional help with his own tax return(?), so don't expect any help from him! So, Nick, PBK, heads together and produce some PROVABLE statistics from REAL people, not clicks of a mouse!

• 27 May 2009 11:04 AM

HIPs for registered properties can be produced on the same day as the instruction, the only delay is getting access to the property and getting the owner to fill in the PIQ. For unregistered properties, HIPs are excellent because they get the owner to sort the paperwork out ready for the sale. Only needs Search of Index Map from Land Reg to go in HIP so no delay in getting to market. Current vendor of unregistered property has just discovered the deeds are lost and will have to apply for property to be registered which could take a month or more. The property can still be marketed while this is done and, thanks to HIPs, there wont be a deal-breaking hold up when an offer is put in.

• 27 May 2009 10:44 AM

I like your style

• 27 May 2009 10:38 AM

I don’t agree with HIP’s, I think they are a waste of space the new legislation makes this job even more frustrating but looking at it objectively, if any elements of the HIP were to kept, just keep the PIQ form and the EPC. The rest can go

• 27 May 2009 10:30 AM

Not sure who you are all using as HIP providers but you need to change! HIPs in the Midlands can be produced (on registered titles) in 2-3 days so change your pack provider!

• 27 May 2009 10:21 AM

Pur Joana Lumley in charge of NAEA and sack Peter Polton King!!!!!!!!

• 27 May 2009 10:19 AM

Saying you would do something in an anonymous survey is one thing, throwing yourself under the King's horse is another.

• 27 May 2009 10:17 AM

Of course HIPs have slowed the market down - put an obstacle in front of Usain Bolt and it would slow him down! We need to look at stronger methods to get this government to do something because Brown only does anything when he's forced to - look at the Gurkhas fiasco. A boycott is probably what we need.

• 27 May 2009 10:17 AM

Took on a house, agreed a sale, exchanged however still waiting for the HIP to be complied...Says it all.

• 27 May 2009 10:12 AM

Just waited 3 weeks for a hip, sold it in 2 days, if it goes through in 6 weeks that is 9 weeks. Take the hip out and i could have done it in 6 weeks....Hip off!!

• 27 May 2009 10:05 AM