REsidEnTialsales
Mike Ockenden, Director
General, Association of
Home Information Pack
Providers (AHIPP) puts
the record straight
A
great deal has happened over say HIPs have had an adverse effect, as
the last month, particularly on mandatory packs have been in place for
the political scene, where we nearly 18 months. The recent, dramatic
have witnessed a cabinet slow down is a result of economic factors,
reshuffle, resulting in our fourth Housing
Minister in two years and much ‘HIPs have faced
not HIPs. In-depth research from one of
our members following the changes to
speculation about the future of our current keting legislation on 6 April
Government and its leader. numerous other
First Day Mar
conclusively showed that HIPs are not a
Despite much political upheaval, deterrent to selling a home, with 100 per
Shadow Housing Minister Grant Shapps attacks from a cent of vendors stating that the need to
still took the decision to table an Early Day obtain a pack did not influence their
Motion calling for the suspension of HIPs, select number of decision to sell. A recent NAEA report
which received very limited support from showed one in ten agents reported that
his colleagues. In addition to Mr Shapps’ organisations.’ they believed the number of sellers would
latest activity, HIPs have also faced double if HIPs were removed; it was
numerous other attacks from a select different payment structures and pleasing to see that the other 90 per cent
number of organisations and I’d like to consumers are under no obligation to buy of its members were not so deluded!
set the record straight on a few matters. a HIP through their chosen agent.
Rarely did the press coverage mention LookIng to tHe future
agents’ mark-up on HIps the fact that estate agents become the AHIPP and its members are working hard
Many of you will have seen the recent responsible person at law when they are to ensure that HIPs do the job they were
Channel 4 News investigation, which appointed to sell a property. This comes initially intended to do – provide buyers
looked at the HIP prices charged by estate with duties and responsibilities that put the with more, upfront information and speed
agents to their customers. The programme agent at risk of a fine and even up the sales process. The packs have
suggested that the existence of undisclosed (theoretically) their livelihood. For this already been considerably improved by the
commissions meant something underhand reason it is entirely appropriate that estate introduction of the Property Information
was going on, but this is not the case. agents are remunerated in their role as Questionnaire (PIQ), which gives buyers
It’s no secret that HIP providers often both retailer and responsible person at law. simple, accessible information about the
supply HIPs to estate agents on a wholesale Through its HIP Code, AHIPP has property they are considering buying.
price basis and that the agent then charges always been committed to ensuring that There is no denying that HIPs still have
a retail price to the vendor, which may or the standard of HIP provision among its a long way to go but we would now like to
may not include a mark-up. This practice is members is consistently high and provides take the opportunity to work with both
no different to any other industry where full protection for consumers. The vast Government and other industry bodies to
retailers as it were charge a mark up – it is majority of HIP providers subscribe to the advance and improve the pack for the
not underhand, just the nature of Code. The obligations imposed on HIP benefit of the consumer.
commerce! The implication that the providers who subscribe to the Code are to
retailer’s price can never be higher than the inform vendors of the charge for the HIP The Association of Home Information Pack
cost of the goods supplied is ridiculous. before it is provided, and to ensure the Providers represents members in conveyanc-
Further, consumers are free to shop terms on which the HIP is provided are ing, estate agency, search providers and HIP
around for the overall service that suits clear, fair and not misleading. providers. Go to:
www.hipassociation.co.uk.
them best – they don’t have to buy through Another misconception is that HIPs
an agent, they can go direct to a HIP have deterred sellers from entering the
What’s your view of HIPs?
provider if they wish. There are lots of market. However, it is clearly inaccurate to
www.propertydrum.com/articles/hipsjuly
PROPERTYdrum JULY-AUGUST 2009 49
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