Following on from Paul Marsh's article about the home information seller's pack (see [2005] Gazette, 20 January, 32), what planet is the government on? It seems to think that there will be a no sale, no fee culture, which it has already cultivated in other sectors such as in personal injury - and what a disaster that has proved. The fact is that you cannot expect something for nothing.


Will the government legislate to prevent local authorities from charging for a local search until a sale has gone through? I hardly think so. The government has introduced the HIP but it cannot expect this to be done for free.


Mr Marsh rightly says this will be financial suicide for those foolish enough to try. If the government thinks sellers will not have to pay for the reports, it will have to think again.



David Pearl, Pearl & Co, London