just seen a Home Information Pack

[yorkie_chris]

So whats the point of it? Why not just have the seller get a survey done by a registered estate agent, any potential buyer just contacts estate agent and gets a copy of results for ?20 or something like.
Having the council involved in business is enough of a disaster.

While I'm about it, stamp duty? What the hels the point of that?

[Viney]

Originally Posted by rubberduckofdeath

One of my mates prepares these reports, they're a joke!

What? your mates are jokes. Thats not very nice now is it

[Gazza77]

Originally Posted by northwind

But seriously, does anyone not think there's basically a good idea in there... If it was as reliable as a proper survey (which it isn't) and actually did the job (which it doesn't) then it would help to get around the ridiculous situation currently where 10 potential buyers all end up doing their own surveys, which I think in the real world wastes more money. And you might say it's unfair on the seller but since most sellers are also buyers that's not really an issue, it's like only having a toll going one way on a bridge- might seem unfair but very few people don't go over the same bridge coming back.

So, the problem is with the laughable execution. The concept to me seems to be pure common sense, but obviously as Sun Tzu said "no common sense survives contact with the beurocrats". Or something like that.

It is a great idea in theory. A proper survey, all the searches done, and any other relevent documentation would mean that no nasty surprises should occur. The problem is, that it is half-hearted, badly implemented and as such an unecessary expense.

I'm just putting my house on the market. I had quotes of between £300 & £500 for the HIP. Why the difference - surely as a legal requirement they should have a uniform price. Also shows how they can be manipulated; I've just come off the phone to the EPC suvery people who wanted to know when my double glazing was fitted. I told them I wasn't sure, so they told me they would put it in the "post 2002" category as that gets a higher rating. How useful can the report be when based on guesswork?!

PS Anyone want to buy a house?

[tigersaw]

Originally Posted by Gazza77

PS Anyone want to buy a house?

And how do you feel about the fact that I, or any other stranger, can read that report - I'll know when you moved in, how much you paid, who your mortgage is with, your full name and address. Thats enough to begin ID theft.

[Gazza77]

Originally Posted by tigersaw

And how do you feel about the fact that I, or any other stranger, can read that report - I'll know when you moved in, how much you paid, who your mortgage is with, your full name and address. Thats enough to begin ID theft.

Fair point, but until I see the report I don't actually know what it contains! Having said that, the information you quote is already available in the public domain, just check the land registry and electoral roll.

[tigersaw]

Originally Posted by Gazza77

Fair point, but until I see the report I don't actually know what it contains! Having said that, the information you quote is already available in the public domain, just check the land registry and electoral roll.

The electoral roll is not available for inspection - unless you forgot to tick the secret box.

[Spiderman]

Originally Posted by northwind

But seriously, does anyone not think there's basically a good idea in there... If it was as reliable as a proper survey (which it isn't) and actually did the job (which it doesn't) then it would help to get around the ridiculous situation currently where 10 potential buyers all end up doing their own surveys, which I think in the real world wastes more money. And you might say it's unfair on the seller but since most sellers are also buyers that's not really an issue, it's like only having a toll going one way on a bridge- might seem unfair but very few people don't go over the same bridge coming back.

So, the problem is with the laughable execution. The concept to me seems to be pure common sense, but obviously as Sun Tzu said "no common sense survives contact with the beurocrats". Or something like that.

Even the agents and Agencies that backed it initially and were running the ball for the Govt have now stepped back and are keeping very quiet about it.

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

So whats the point of it? Why not just have the seller get a survey done by a registered estate agent, any potential buyer just contacts estate agent and gets a copy of results for ?20 or something like.
Having the council involved in business is enough of a disaster.

While I'm about it, stamp duty? What the hels the point of that?

Agents cant do surveys. Some agencies have an office surveyor who is RICS qualified but even still ts a bit dodgy as they have a vested interest when they make the report. After all they dont want a property on thier books that wont sell cos the survey puts buyers off, right? So is it a totaly impartial survey?

Originally Posted by Gazza77

It is a great idea in theory.

Yeh as theories go, sadly it had Govt getting their hands on it and thats when it stopped being a good idea.

Many moons ago the Law Society discussed the feasability of doing all conveyancing by computer, E-convayancing if you will. They spent time and money looking into it and at one point were ready to roll it out.....until some smarty pants reaslised they would not be able to charge anymore for the work and if peeps could see most of the info online maybe they wouldn't even pay a solicitor to do the trnasaction so they shelved that idea.

And cue this farce.

Even in the trials they ran in Bristol with the full HIP showed it did nothing for buyer confidence or speed of transcation so seemed utterly pointless. But i guess the pint of a trial run is to ignore the conclusions it comes up with and push ahead with a taxable polcy instead.

Originally Posted by embee

Sorry, that's a no-no

sorry, hole of undetermined race, colour, religion, sexuality, immigration status.

This post can be read in 18 different languages by following this Link.

cos I'm pretty sure that if I was in Kurdistan, all their government paperwork would be in fekkin English

[Spiderman]

Originally Posted by Jools'SV Now

sorry, hole of undetermined race, colour, religion, sexuality, immigration status.

This post can be read in 18 different languages by following this Link.

cos I'm pretty sure that if I was in Kurdistan, all their government paperwork would be in fekkin English

Hahahaha, good work. I tried clicking the link

me for being such a spanner.

[embee]

Originally Posted by Gazza77

... so they told me they would put it in the "post 2002" category as that gets a higher rating. ......

Just be a little careful there, 'cos if it was installed post April 2002 (?) it must have a certificate to meet Building Control requirements, which if you haven't got one might cost you. The buyer could probably insist on you providing a cert.

Example
Replacement Windows and Doors

As from 1 April 2002, Building Regulations request that building owners installing replacement windows or doors must obtain Building Regulations consent and have the installation inspected to ensure compliance with relevant regulations. The relevant regulations are:

L1 Conservation of fuel and power
N1 Glazing protection against impact