Now that the home information pack regulations have been effectively scrapped, the unintended consequence is the loss of any consumer protection for the supply of CON29O and R and CON29DW standards searches. HIPs set out, for the first time, clear standards for the conditions upon which searches should be provided, including ensuring that answers were complete.

Importantly, consumers didn’t need to rely upon insurance when the acquisition of information was awkward or expensive.This meant that those charged with maintaining consumer protection – trading standards and the Property Codes Compliance Board - had a clear baseline upon which they could judge compliance.

On 22 May, the housing minister stated that he doesn’t have any plans to look at the way property is transacted in England and Wales.Naturally we are disappointed, as from our position as suppliers of information upon which home buyers and their professional advisors rely, we would welcome the opportunity to work with government and key organisations to improve the home-buying and selling process.In this we would echo the calls for a review made by the Law Society and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

As an industry, we deliver exemplary service in terms of response times and uniquely in this market the water industry underwrites and guarantees the information provided. We stand by the information we provide, so in the unlikely event of a problem, the lender, the conveyancer, and most importantly, the consumer is fully protected. This commitment pre-dated the introduction of HIPs and will continue in the future.

Sharon Chapman, Chair, Water Industry Property Information Network and Wessex Searches