The industry has given a mixed response to the Government’s implementation timeline for Home Information Packs (HIPs), which was published today.
While the timeline has been warmly welcomed in some quarters, concerns regarding implementation and the work required to achieve the reforms by June 2007 are widespread.
The RICS remains supportive of the principles of HIPs, but acknowledge increasing concerns at the approach being taken by the ODPM regarding implementation.
RICS spokesperson William Tew said: “Government and industry need to work together to deliver these reforms, but Government has not yet provided the environment within which this can happen.
“The industry cannot be expected to develop a framework to qualify and regulate professionals to work in this field while the rules of the game are continually changing, particularly when these are emerging without proper consultation and agreement.”
The RICS’s current concerns relate to the costs and assessment process for the conversion of experienced surveyors into home inspectors, and the criteria for the certification schemes designed to regulate inspectors.
The Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) welcomed the timeline, regarding it as essential to enable the ODPM and the industry to work together, and monitor progress.
But Peter Williams, CML Deputy Director General, warned that no-one should under-estimate the scale of the task ahead.
“It is quite clear that, even when HIPs go live, it will take some time for the market to gain experience and confidence in the new environment, and only then will its full benefits to consumers be realised.”
UK online conveyancer, Easier2Move, responded to the announcement with enthusiasm but also noted the high level of co-operation required by stakeholders to achieve the ‘ambitious’ timeline.
Karen Babington, director of sales and marketing, said: “We are delighted that the ODPM has finally decided to provide us with a timeline for the implementation of Home Information Packs.
“This is a move that much of the industry has been eagerly awaiting and we feel that it will go a long way toward convincing people that HIPs really are going to become a reality in June 2007.
“The plan as laid-out by the ODPM in the timeline is ambitious but we feel that if all the stakeholders work together, this can be achieved.”
References: EGi News 16/03/06
