just seen a Home Information Pack

[tigersaw]

I have been sent property details, along with a copy of the HIP. It consists of a copy of the usual searches, a few Q+A's and a hilariously worthless 'energy performance certificate'.
I.e. reccomendations - fit low energy lighbulbs (no Sh*t Sherlock), fit a condensing boiler (no Sh*t Sherlock #2), fit photo votaic solar panels on roof (WTF?? who in their right minds does that).

However, the worrying bit is the owners personal information being freely available. I know their full names, their address, who their mortgage is with, how long they have lived there...

I know this info has always been discoverable, but not without reason and traceability - now its just being thrown into the public domain.

Surely a good starter for 10 for ID theft?

[Spiderman]

yeh biggest waste of money, paper and ink you can imagine and one of the main reasons why after 15yrs i left the property industry. That and the money laundering regulations nonsense.

[northwind]

It's such a good idea. And done so terribly.

[embee]

Yes, and as far as I'm aware they still haven't thought about the question of who actually owns the HIP, so if you want to transfer to another agent they don't necessarily give you the HIP that you've paid several hundred squids for (compulsorily!).

The other major issue as I see it is that the body who prepares the HIP can simply deny any liability for the accuracy. There was a case reported recently of a blatant error in one which would make the property less desirable to prospective buyers, and the aggrieved owner was unable to get it changed. He was told they would have to prepare a new one, but that the details of the old one would still be on record, so the property was still blighted by the incompetence of the agent who prepared it.

[yorkie_chris]

Paying £100's of ££ for a f###ing lemon to tell you that low energy light bulbs use less energy.

The joys of this society.

Another government tax, another layer of beaurocracy and another layer of people who depend upon this govt for a job (who depend upon these people for their votes). Grrrr

Soon to be available at every roadside along the whole length of every road in Britain.

The new: 'CTRG' , Crossing the road guide

A handy guide, costing only ?150, it takes you through crossing the road, literally step by step.
Among it's handy tips are; don't cross with your eyes closed, and wait until the 40 ton lorry has passed by before crossing.

Proceeds go to the public spending black hole created by all the paperwork required for political correctness in a nanny state.

[yorkie_chris]

Originally Posted by Jools'SV Now

Soon to be available at every roadside along the whole length of every road in Britain.

The new: 'CTRG' , Crossing the road guide

A handy guide, costing only ?150, it takes you through crossing the road, literally step by step.*
Among it's handy tips are; don't cross with your eyes closed, and wait until the 40 ton lorry has passed by before crossing.

Proceeds go to the public spending black hole created by all the paperwork required for political correctness in a nanny state.**

*By the way, it's mandatory
**Please try not to offend any minorites when you get to the other side of the road

[embee]

Originally Posted by Jools'SV Now

......black hole ......

Sorry, that's a no-no

[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.