quote:

Originally posted by Rising Damp:
Yes this story will break over the next few days. The spokesman for this group is due to be interviewed on television during February and press releqases have been issued. Some very influential names in estate agency are supporting the opposition moves. The Industry by and large believes this is bad legislation with an ulterior motive. The number of surveyors signed up to the scheme is well below the required total. New Labour has only been listening to the 'Yes Men' on this issue; nothing unusual there then. It is typical New Labour Policy - all image and no substance.

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Originally posted by daveyjp:
Latest is a high number of surveyors, solicitors and estate agents are requesting the idea be scrapped. Now the detail is being revealed the system is seen as unworkable in too many cases.

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Originally posted by Martin:

quote:

Originally posted by daveyjp:
Latest is a high number of surveyors, solicitors and estate agents are requesting the idea be scrapped. Now the detail is being revealed the system is seen as unworkable in too many cases.

I work as a legal secretary to a big conveyancing firm in the north and the general feeling is this is terrible, yes the property process needs changing but HIPS are not the answer.

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Originally posted by F_T_Buyer:
I think there is lots to clarify, but I'm all for it.

Surveyors are upset as they will lose the £1,000,000 PER DAY spent on surveys where the sale falls through.

Also, it will discourage the "Well if it sells at that crazy price, it sells" sellers. There also time wasters!

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Originally posted by Rising Damp:

quote:

Originally posted by F_T_Buyer:
I think there is lots to clarify, but I'm all for it.

Surveyors are upset as they will lose the £1,000,000 PER DAY spent on surveys where the sale falls through.

Also, it will discourage the "Well if it sells at that crazy price, it sells" sellers. There also time wasters!

But the point is, there is nothing in this legislation to stop the sale falling through. Buyer and seller will be free to pull out before exchange of contracts as they are now. Chains will still break down leaving sellers with a bill for the pack on an abortive sale, and that pack will be out of date. The survey cannot be trusted by the buyer; it is prepared for the seller. The Law Society have indicated as much. It is likely to lead to distoprtions in the market resulting in an increase in prices.
The ODPM say they have 2000 surveyors signed up for training; they need 10,000 to implement it across the country and surveyors are not coming forward. One pack provider has indicated that they are recruiting Old Age Pensioners to do the training. Sounds like Dads Army to me. They suggest that these people can earn £40,000 pa. On that basis I calculate that they will need to be doing in excess of one survey every working day allowing for holidays/bank holidays. They will need to be fit too to carry out attic inspection. Hardly a job for semi-retirement; more like slave labour. Don't panic Mr Mainwaring ' Who do you think you are kidding Mr Prescott'

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Originally posted by Rising Damp:
With the HIP survey the principle of caveat emptor (buyer beware) will still apply. The HCR is nothing more than a check list supposed to indicate defects but gives no advice on costs of repair or whether repair is feasible as I understand it. In practise it will in many instances be prepared by inspectors who's only experience is to have undergone a training course.
As yet the question of Professional Insurance cover has not been settled but from my own experience and that of other surveyors, insurance companies seem less than willing to commit themselves to making cover available. ODPM has put the cart before the horse. They should have sorted this out before expecting surveyors to signs up for training costing £2000-£3000 that may prove abortive if they cannot get insured. Will the govt underwrite the scheme? if so they will waste loads of taxpayers money in paying out against claims that will flow from a report with open ended liability, but then with New labour that's nothing new.
HIPs are not the answer.

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Originally posted by MELBOY:

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Originally posted by Rising Damp:
With the HIP survey the principle of caveat emptor (buyer beware) will still apply. The HCR is nothing more than a check list supposed to indicate defects but gives no advice on costs of repair or whether repair is feasible as I understand it. In practise it will in many instances be prepared by inspectors who's only experience is to have undergone a training course.
As yet the question of Professional Insurance cover has not been settled but from my own experience and that of other surveyors, insurance companies seem less than willing to commit themselves to making cover available. ODPM has put the cart before the horse. They should have sorted this out before expecting surveyors to signs up for training costing £2000-£3000 that may prove abortive if they cannot get insured. Will the govt underwrite the scheme? if so they will waste loads of taxpayers money in paying out against claims that will flow from a report with open ended liability, but then with New labour that's nothing new.
HIPs are not the answer.

Strong Rumour going around that HIP's are about to be scrapped. Personally I don't believe it but would welcome it if it was true.

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the ONE question that virtually all buyers and tenants want to know "How much does it cost to heat the place"?