I have had the fortunate experience of attending the Conservative Conference in Manchester. I am part of a team of professionals who are lobbying the Conservative Party on the need for reform within the home buying and selling process.
I have over the past day or so met with a number of open minded people who agree that although badly implemented the reform brought about by the Home Information Pack Regulations represents a solid basis for further reform to a system that is recognised by both consumer and professional as being slow and costly.
I listened with interest to Grant Shapps speech. Leaving to one side the predictable rallying political sound bite of 'HIPs are going', the speech was constructive and full of 'progressive' policy content. If this is anything to go by I remain hopeful that notwithstanding the firm intent of removing the HIP, Mr Shapps will use the opportunity to bring immediate reform through the requirement of upfront documents and information on a property which will clearly speed up and improve the home buying and selling process.
Having documents and information at the beginning of the process rather than at the end places no additional obligation on the seller/buyer and in fact brings the cost of home buying and selling down. The would not need to be in place before marketing, they would need to be introduced within 28 days. This would also provide the Conservatives with the vehicle that they will require in the absence of the HIP to keep in line with the European Law requirement of an upfront energy assessment.
The HIP may be history but let us hope that the Conservative Party does not allow this opportunity for badly needed reform to pass. The momentum and mandation behind the HIP must be kept as without it reform will not happen.
David - Manchester 13.51
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