Home Information Packs countdown begins

SAVA welcomes significant Government progress on the introduction of Home Information Packs

SAVA has warmly welcomed the announcement from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) on the detail of key parts of the regulatory and business structure required to support the introduction of Home Information Packs (HIPs).

Following meetings and focus groups held with industry bodies like SAVA, the ODPM has resolved critical issues such as the structure of a certification scheme that will accredit qualified Home Inspectors, and the systems that will assist employers of Home Inspectors and the online register of Home Condition Reports.

Brian Scannell, managing director of SAVA, says: "SAVA is leading the field in the recruitment and assessment of potential Home Inspectors, and for their sake we are delighted that the infrastructure to support the introduction of Home Information Packs is coming together so quickly".

"We currently have some 450 candidates registered in our assessment centre for the ABBE diploma, and over 6,000 individuals who have expressed an interest and are waiting in the wings.

So far, candidates come from a wide variety of backgrounds, with more than half working outside the traditional residential surveying sector.

These include construction managers, building control officers, quantity surveyors and other experts - all keen to take advantage of the opportunity created by the introduction of Home Information Packs.

"SAVA has spent almost two years putting in place the support services needed by Home Inspectors, particularly independent traders and small businesses, in order that they will be able to compete successfully".

"We are committed to continuing our development work to support the creation of a dynamic market for skilled individuals to deliver a high quality service".

"The announcements today provide reassurance for all prospective Home Inspectors that the new market for their services will emerge, allowing them to proceed with investing in their future with confidence".

"This is the reassurance that those doubting the Government's commitment needed and we expect to see an increase in registrations over the coming weeks".

"The solutions being developed by the Government in partnership with our industry have put paid to the cynics".

"There is no doubt in my mind that we will all be ready for HIPs by next summer".

"Home Inspectors can now proceed with absolute confidence in their new career".

In addition to its ongoing partnership with the ODPM, SAVA is progressing three initiatives to help promote the market for Home Information Packs:.

1.

UK's first proper HIP pilot scheme in Southampton In collaboration with independent conveyancers My Home Move and a group of estate agents in Southampton, SAVA will run a market pilot of Home Information Packs, based on the specifications, systems and processes that are expected to be required by Government.

The trial Packs will include the SAVA Home Condition Reports, based directly on the Government's specification and including a formal Energy Report, which will be prepared by some of the UK's first Home Inspectors.

Although Sellers Packs and various home-grown systems are already common throughout the country, this test, due to start in September, will be the country's first real trial of the likely system for HIPs in advance of the Government's 'dry run' next summer.

2.

One year 'crash course' for new entrants to the residential property market that wish to become Home Inspectors SAVA is also developing an innovative and intensive education, training and assessment programme for prospective Home Inspectors.

Working with the College of Estate Management, SAVA is currently getting feedback on the likely interest in this 'crash course', which is designed to boost the numbers of people applying to become Home Inspectors.

3.

SAVA annual conference in October SAVA's national conference will take place on 13-14 October 2005 in Warwick, and will be the key event for prospective Home Inspectors and for estate agents, conveyancers and other housing professionals who need to understand the detail of the big changes about to take effect.

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