Pilot: Solicitors Property Shop launches free mini-service to road-test scheme

The first independent pilot of home information packs (HIPs) began this week, days after the government mapped out its timetable for the launch of the controversial new system next year.


The Solicitors Property Shop (SPS) has launched HIPstart, a free mini-HIP service to road-test the process before it becomes mandatory on 1 June 2007. Eight firms belonging to the group across the midlands and north of England are participating in the trial, which will use mini-HIPs containing most of the key components of a full HIP. Results of the pilot will be analysed before the service is opened to the wider SPS network.


Meanwhile the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) has published a schedule setting out the timetable for the implementation of HIPs, which will kick off next month with a publicity campaign targeting industry stakeholders.


In June, draft regulations will set out the detailed contents of HIPs and rules governing their availability. A national dry run of the scheme - to be held in three phases - will also begin then, despite concerns raised that the industry is not ready.


September will see the launch of a certification scheme to oversee the work of home inspectors, who are needed to prepare the vendor's home condition reports. Finally, a public awareness campaign will begin in April 2007 ahead of the system going live on 1 June.


In addition, the Association of Home Information Pack Providers (AHIPP) - founded by a number of key players in the industry - is planning to roll out a separate regional trial, in conjunction with the ODPM, to run alongside the national dry run this summer.


Paul Broadhead, AHIPP deputy director, said three areas had been short-listed as suitable for the trial to take place based on the high number of qualified home inspectors - Cambridge, Watford and Basingstoke - and the final decision would be made shortly.


Kevin Martin, Law Society President, expressed concern that the timetable was too tight to enable an adequate dry run. 'The industry and consumers need to be sure that the benefits that the government claims will be delivered and that the timetable allows any problems in the process to be rectified,' he said.


Mr Martin added that although the government says first time buyers would benefit from the scheme, the new system would disadvantage the growing number of elderly people, who were forced to sell their homes to move into sheltered accommodation.


Housing minister Yvette Cooper said: 'By providing key information at the beginning of the process, home information packs will prevent waste and significantly cut the number of sales that fall through. That is why consumer groups have been calling for them for years.'