An article in the Negotiator reports that HIP standards are satisfactory, according to Trading Standards.
The article can be read below:
The majority of Home Information Packs are satisfactory in standard, according to a new survey by Trading Standards.
Some 70% (26) of the packs surveyed were rated satisfactory or reasonably satisfactory when measured against the HIP regulations in Birmingham City, where the survey was conducted. Across the 30% (11) of packs rated unsatisfactory, one of the the biggest criticisms was that buyers were left with no idea of who to contact if they have any cause for complaint over the content of the HIP.
The survey was conducted by Trading Standards in conjunction with the Property Codes Compliance Board, and aimed to identify if estate agents had HIPs in place for the properties they were marketing; were making packs available at the appropriate time; were ensuring packs contained all the required documents and were being provided in the format prescribed by the regulations; and whether the contents were accurate.
Some 40 HIPs were requested from as many agents across the city, and forwarded to the PCCB for inspection and checking. The most common faults included:
• no information on complaint / redress procedure
• no consumer information
• no company contact details
• technical Issues with the search
• HIP Index related issues
Chris Neville, head of Trading Standards at Birmingham City Council, says: “The exercise shows that the market is generally compliant, but buyers should be aware that not all HIPs can be taken at face value as being accurate.
"We will keep a watchful eye on the estate agent and HIP provider market, and we urge buyers to contact us if HIPs are not made available by estate agents at the time of marketing. To avoid any confusion over the accuracy of information provided in a HIP, we recommend that both buyers and estate agents should choose a HIP Code registered firm, as our survey has found these to be the most trustworthy”.
Link to article: http://www.negotiator-magazine.co.uk/article/hip-standards-satisfactory--claims-trading-standards-1214
The article can be read below:
The majority of Home Information Packs are satisfactory in standard, according to a new survey by Trading Standards.
Some 70% (26) of the packs surveyed were rated satisfactory or reasonably satisfactory when measured against the HIP regulations in Birmingham City, where the survey was conducted. Across the 30% (11) of packs rated unsatisfactory, one of the the biggest criticisms was that buyers were left with no idea of who to contact if they have any cause for complaint over the content of the HIP.
The survey was conducted by Trading Standards in conjunction with the Property Codes Compliance Board, and aimed to identify if estate agents had HIPs in place for the properties they were marketing; were making packs available at the appropriate time; were ensuring packs contained all the required documents and were being provided in the format prescribed by the regulations; and whether the contents were accurate.
Some 40 HIPs were requested from as many agents across the city, and forwarded to the PCCB for inspection and checking. The most common faults included:
• no information on complaint / redress procedure
• no consumer information
• no company contact details
• technical Issues with the search
• HIP Index related issues
Chris Neville, head of Trading Standards at Birmingham City Council, says: “The exercise shows that the market is generally compliant, but buyers should be aware that not all HIPs can be taken at face value as being accurate.
"We will keep a watchful eye on the estate agent and HIP provider market, and we urge buyers to contact us if HIPs are not made available by estate agents at the time of marketing. To avoid any confusion over the accuracy of information provided in a HIP, we recommend that both buyers and estate agents should choose a HIP Code registered firm, as our survey has found these to be the most trustworthy”.
Link to article: http://www.negotiator-magazine.co.uk/article/hip-standards-satisfactory--claims-trading-standards-1214
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