Unbelievably with only two weeks to go until 6th April many Local Authorities have still not released their pricing structure for access to Con 29 data. As this affects the whole of the property market, it is truly astounding that they have been allowed to do this.
From 6th April, a residential property can not be marketed until the majority of a Home Information Pack ( HIP ) is in place. If by this time the remaining councils still have not released their pricing structures the housing market could be thrown into chaos. How can you order a HIP if you or your supplier don’t know how much it will cost?
Is this a deliberate move by councils to cause disruption within the Personal Search and Home Information Pack industry or are they simply so inefficient that they cannot meet governments deadlines even with months of prior notice?
Comment by jeremy tyler — March 25, 2009 @ 4:35 pm
I cannot believe how many councils have not sorted it out yet, a cynic would say its a delay tactic.
Comment by nick snr — April 22, 2009 @ 8:29 am
Although it is obvious that some local authorities have deliberately held back publishing access and charging regimes to cause as much disruption as possible to search companies it is also obvious that most are simply incompetent. It is also becoming more evident as we have to deal with the personell now providing the answers just how little they know about the requirements to compile a search correctly. For instance the majority of councils do not correctly compile a register of new roads and street works as required under section 53. This applies to a register of contaminated land also. The Highways Agency considers answers to questions on roads to be environmental and as such access to highway information at councils should be free. This is taken directly from the Highways Agency website. http://www.highways.gov.uk/foiresponses/2283.aspx “As roads affect the environment, you may find we handle your request under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004. This is because you may request information which is defined as “environmental information”.