The Government announced this week that the provision for marketing a property once a Home Information Pack (HIP) has been ordered will be extended to 5th April 2009, when this provision will end. Properties can currently be marketed as soon as a HIP has been ordered. This regulation was due to end on 1st January 2009, when a HIP would have needed to be completed before marketing takes place. This deadline has been extended to 5th April 2009, which most stakeholders, including HIP providers and estate agents, have been keen to see continue. When first day marketing ends on 5 April 2009, estate agents will still have the 28 days provision for certain information that takes longer to obtain.

Severn Trent Searches, the leading provider of property searches in the Midlands, as a well established HIP provider, continues to improve it's turnaround times for when such regulations come in. Mark Jarvis, General Manager of Severn Trent Searches, says "Whether first-day marketing is extended or not, we are continually improving on the speed and efficiency of our service to ensure HIPs are delivered in 3-5 working days". "Current turnaround times for our CON29DW drainage and water searches for December are 98.4% completed in 5 working days."

The Association of Home Information Pack Providers (AHIPP) called for the Government to re-introduce a 'drop dead' date of 1st April 2009 in November. Mike Ockenden, Director General of AHIPP said at the time "It makes sense for the Government to reintroduce such a date to deliver clarity for consumers and estate agents alike".

"It is not fair on consumers that in some cases they will have to pay costs for the information in a HIP as both the buyer and seller, whilst in other cases they will not have to pay at all. All parties would be well served by the fairness, certainty and clarity that a 'drop dead' date would bring.'

Mark Jarvis understands "there are arguments for and against first-day marketing, but Severn Trent Searches will continue to enhance it's infrastructure and be flexible in it's approach to ensure HIPs are delivered both accurately and efficiently, no matter how provisions may change."

For more information call 0115 962 7269.

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