7
Mar
Agents 'not to blame for Hips problems'
The National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) has responded to
research from the Department for Communities and Local Government
that suggested estate agents were to blame for problems in the home
information packs (Hips) roll-out.
Present of the NAEA Stewart Lily argued that the survey is based on
trials that were carried out a year ago and not on statistics
released since Hips were implemented.
He added that it is "negative" of the government to try and point
the finger at estate agents themselves when it was warned about the
dangers of starting the service.
Mr Lily also claimed that there should have more of an emphasis
upon those buying property as part of the report.
"The research itself, whilst focusing in 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," he commented.
Hips were introduced by the government for sellers of all homes on
December 14th last year.