Petition over Home Information Packs Gathers Pace. |
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12th May 2009
The Downing Street web petition calling for first day marketing to be restored has now attracted over 1,500 signatures in just over 10 days. Campaigner Nick Salmon, who launched it, said:"It's a great start and illustrates the strength of feeling.".
Salmon, founder of SPLINTA, also revealed having had a message of support from a board company which works for around 200 estate agents and has an estimated 60% market share in its region. They record a reduction in new instructions by as much a 20%. It seems that these immediate expense is not helping.
http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/restorefdm/
Conservatives have pledged to abolish HIP's so Bushells is confused by the Governments resolute determination to press ahead despite objections from industry experts. The reality is that despite the vast number of HIPs commissioned and the fact over 1000 new buyers registered in April, not one request to see a HIP was made! We wonder if MPs can add the cost of a HIP to their expenses!
Bushells also note that many agents are using HIPs as an income stream, adding on a commission to the cost price. Bushells record that they charge Landlords the actual price and receive no commission whatsoever in order to reduce the cost of this unnecessary burden.
We agree that in many cases, some of the information provided can help speed up a transaction, but in this market, speed is not really the issue. Further, at a time where so many are facing debt and repossession, this extra expense can really prove the final straw.
The Government must realise the loss of revenue from the meteoric demise in stamp duty revenue. The Housing Market needs help, not hindrance.
