Higher costs and delays hit personal search firms

Many local authorities are deliberatly delaying the supply of restricted data to personal search companies (it was previously insured against in the HIP & they do not allow them direct access). They also bundle superfluous unneeded data to increase the price to the personal search companies. The local authorites want a monopoly - it's a disgrace. IPSA have legal proceedings against the local authorities to comabat all this abuse, so we shall see...

• 14 May 2009 00:03 AM

I do love these unbiased, considered comments. Until the new charging rules came in we at Pali offered a national price for searches to solicitors and the complete Hip. We always got the info required to complete the search to the satisfaction of the solicitors. Since the charging rules changed we are trying to maintain the national price and challenge the councils which are applying excessive charges. We have been undermined by the cheap search and Hip providers but are still here fighting for quality. To Chris Wood I say read this email from Bourne Hips to us. Dear All

I ordered the HIP for this property at about 1.30 today. It was market ready in 3 hours.

Is this best you can do?

Thank you!!

The EAs are wondering how I do it as their own are still taking DAYS!!

Kind Regards. Paul W.
To Mmmmmmm. I take exeption to your remarks, we have always provided a good product. What qualifies you to spout such rubbish?
Nick.

• 13 May 2009 17:07 PM

Surely any comment reported by Ashley King should be qualified by stating his position with AHIPP? He is now, more than ever, paid to say nice things about how wonderfully successful HIPs are. He obviously derives financial benefit from the furtherance of HIPs and as such his unscientific surveys and bias ridden opinions should be highlighted as such. If he has carried out a survey, challenge him to produce the raw data and publish it here so we can all see it and judge its merit. I don't mean to be unkind but if you describe yourself as "The voice of the industry" and then appear to report anything you are told by people like Mr King, you may be considered a copy taker and not a journalist. This is friendly encouragement to do better!

• 13 May 2009 15:58 PM

Hmmmmm.

Not all search companies are the same, it's mostly the new cowboys on the scene since HIPs. Avoid them at all costs. Regarding searches, even councils own searches are frequently riddled with errors, but it takes an expert, experienced search company to discover them.

Not all search companies are the same, thank god for the experts.

• 13 May 2009 12:21 PM

Low cost HIP providers are finding it hard... good if they are low cost it means they are providing a rubbish version of an already rubbish product. If HIPs are to have any positive impact the consumer needs to be guaranteed they are getting good information - something personal searches have never provided. I'm sure the low cost HIP providers will be using low cost search providers who guess and assume rather than pay for the correct information - buyer beware if you are relying on a low cost HIP.

• 13 May 2009 11:04 AM

Having been seen getting out of my car to value a property for sale in well loved area of town, I now have several people nagging me for the details and a viewing which, of course, I cannot comment on until the HIP arrives. Needless to say, the vendors (an elderly couple) are annoyed/ upset because they have people knocking on their door who wont/ can' t see the point of waiting for me to get back to them. And; in the current market, I could rather do with a sale NOW than in another few days/ weeks when the paperwork fibnally arrives!!!! STUPID, STUPID, STUPID LAW!

• 13 May 2009 10:26 AM