News & Views Blog

Having commenced training as a Home Inspector I was, of course, disappointed by the announcement. I think the only winners are the Estate Agents, who can still market any old property to an unsuspecting consumer. Why does the consumer not have the right to determine whether a property is in a condition that warrants the Estate Agents 'guestimate' of what it's worth.
They are just concerned their fat profits will drop when the real condition and extent of possible costs are 'in the public domain' and the consumer can rightly decide to look elsewhere for more reasonably valued property reflective of it condition.
Not every house is going to be 'condemned' but those with defects will be highlighted.
Genuine sellers will attend to the defects or expect to get an adjusted offer, it's only the unscrupulous types (not calling all Estates Agents this - there are some good ones (apparently!) who will have there little cover ups and tactics exposed to the untrained masses. That's the drive behind getting the Home Condition Report sidelined!
There are currently around 4400 Home Inspectors in training - well on the way to meeting the demand - some 3500 RICS surveyors (who would of 'fast tracked' to the HI qualification) - more than enough to meet demand.
Ask how many of those wish to continue training, having committed to a grand Government initiative, to be put over by that very same Government. Doesn't instill much trust does it?
Consumers should have the right to know what there buying (it's a big enough investment) Don't Government or the Estate Agents trust the consumer to make their minds up, with all the approriate information to hand?

I too am diappointed. I am a law graduate and I have invested a great deal of time and energy learning about hips. However, I think patients is the order of the day and the sooner the 'full' hips are introduced the better. All this means is, I will have longer to build my own website. Regards.

The sellers will have the last laugh in the HIPS debate by insisting on marketing their property in a more professional
way and most will want to include a Home Condition Report voluntarily.
Public opinon surveys agree.

Hi We have never had hips before so why would we want it now. How comes we as individuals cant buy and sell as before without intervention from government bodies whom feel thay have to interfere in people personal lives. Regards

Got to agree with Mrs Dorothy Brittain's comments.
More jobs for the 'boys'. Something else that will never work and cost a fortune. Bin it!
regards

This is nothing more than a further attempt to control the lives of the people of this country by a COMMUNIST/MARXIST lead government. I wonder how many of them will get back handers for introducing this policy. What will Cowboy Prescott get ??????

I have yet to see any discussion of the issue of contractual liability. Purchasers surveys by Qualified Surveyors are, in effect, cheap insurance against buying a duff poperty as there is a contract between the surveyor and the buyer, and the surveyor is insured - heavily, and at great personal expense - against missing anything. Will HIP surveyors be likewise insured? I doubt it, and if so I would imagine that insurance would be even MORE expensive due to their inexperience and lack of training. In any case, would the buyer be able to rely on a report which he is not, contractually, party to? If not, then they are not worth the paper they are written on to any prospective purchaser.

We could also do with the RICS making much greater efforts to enlighten people as to the differences between different 'categories/levels' of survey. Too often have I heard people say "oh it must be alright... the building society had it surveyed.." not realising that the valuation survey amounts to little more than confirming the building exists.

This new legislation will severely compromise low income and pensioners wanting or needing to sell their property. Will there be yet another spate of TV adverts trying to snare folk into taking out loans they can't afford to cover the cost of this senseless red tape. I'm selling my house and due to circumstances I'll have to rely on photos to purchase my next property which will have to be distant to where I live now now being able to view. Do I care about energy efficiency of the property I'll buy? Do I hell, I'm much more interested in the kitchen, bathroom and garden and the area. I can always get the loft lagged later.

I see this as yet more bureaucracy, curtailment of personal freedom and yet more pseudo professional jobs for the boys (and girls)!!!