The trial is currently taking place in six locations across the UK including Southampton, Newcastle, Northampton, Bath, Huddersfield and Cambridge, and the information packs are being offered free to customers. The government has pledged £4 million to the trial run which is due to last until Christmas.
Following the announcement that Home Condition Reports (HCRs) would not be a mandatory part of the sellers’ pack, many in the industry have questioned the need for HIPs, and a number of organisations, including the Conservative party, have expressed dissatisfaction with the proposals.
However, Alan Dring, sales director at eConveyancer, said HIPs still had a key part to play in the market. “I think the dry-run will help focus the governments’ priorities in the New Year. It will also highlight the issues that are giving cause for concern, such as the number of energy inspectors.”
He added: “It is very early days, but I think a lot of positives will come out of the dry-run.”
However, Thomas Reeh, chief executive at blackandwhite.co.uk, questioned the need for HIPs. He said: “HIPs have been altered, watered down and modified so much that people are uncertain of their exact worth. We currently have a healthy market and I don’t really see the need to introduce the packs. It should be up to the buyer if they want to get any more information on the property they wish to purchase, not the seller.”
He added; “I think the HIPs launch date could be put back, which may cause major disruption. I don’t think HIPs will have the impact they would have had if HCRs were included.”
Another broker, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “I didn’t even know the dry-run had started. HIPs are off most people’s radars now.”
