The DCLG should not be blaming agents for the problems of HIPs, argues the NAEA…

Recent Government research from MORI revealed that Agents received the bulk of the blame for the shambolic HIPs rollout last year.

Stewart Lilley, President, National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA), comments on the MORI HIP research: “The information in this research is based on the pre-legislation trials a year ago – the legislation itself has been in place since August 2007 and our recent research amongst members shows a different picture.  We have closely examined this historic poll and compared it with our up to date statistics."

“The industry continues to be willing to work with government.  However, it is extremely negative of the government to bring out research now based on trials in an attempt to blame agents for all the problems of the HIPs roll-out, when the government has bull-dozed HIPs through despite repeated concerns and warnings from the industry.”

Deliberate ploy?

He added: “The research itself, whilst focusing on sellers is very quiet on the subject of what buyers thought – perhaps deliberately?  After all, the legislation was actually brought out for the benefit of the buyer in order to give them up-front information about the property they are looking to buy. 

"Research amongst our members shows a different picture.  When we asked agents how many requests they had received to date to view the content of a HIP by a prospective purchaser, 68% replied that they’ve had no requests at all. Perhaps more tellingly, only 4% have received more than 10 requests."

“The report suggests that ‘the majority of HIPs are being provided in 14 working days’ however, a large number of our members are telling me that it is far longer.  The very fact that it is taking so long is why first day marketing must be maintained – sellers who have responded so positively to this survey may feel very differently about a process that lengthens the time it takes to put their house on the market by a further two weeks, or more.”