When asked the question: Should we adapt or scrap HIPs? an overwhelming majority of the audience at the Land Data Great Housing Market Debate voted to adapt.
The panel at the Wriglesworth-hosted event, which comprised of over 150 housing industry professionals ranging from estate agents to mortgage lenders and property investors, also supported this sentiment. The panel comprised of Kate Barker, MPC Member, David Miles of Morgan Stanley, Michael Coogan of The CML, the BBC’s Hugh Pym and Grenville Turner of Countrywide.
Commenting, Mike Ockenden, director general, Association of Home Information Pack Providers (AHIPP), said: “I am delighted to see that the industry is now taking a more united approach towards HIPs. While I do not deny that further amendments may need to take place before the HIP reaches its full potential, what this week’s vote suggests - and what the Tory party should now recognise - is that there is an appetite within the industry to now work together to improve the current offering. HIPs aren’t perfect, but scrapping them entirely would set us back years – instead, lets work with what we have to make improvements and advance the HIP for the advantage of all involved.”
