The Home Inspector

The home inspector is the person responsible for the home inspection part of your HIP

Only qualified and approved home inspectors can carry out this task.

The inspection itself will be a survey, carried out by an approved home inspector.

The position of home inspector is regulated by the government and only individuals that pass certain criteria will be allowed to train as a home inspector.

There is a trade association that has been formed to represent the interests of the providers of the home information pack, home inspectors may well be on the register of this new body.

Surveys will not vary greatly from home inspector to home inspector, each will follow specific guidelines, laid out by the office of the deputy Prime Minister (odpm).

The Association of Home Information Pack Providers

Promote standards for the production and the provision of home information packs.

They aim to represent all parties and work alongside the government, solicitors, lenders and surveyors.

Chairman of the group, Ian Turner has said "providing information up front and minimising the time it takes to get from offer to completion is essential to reduce the number of sales that fall through. Where there is a chain of buyers and sellers, just one person pulling out can ruin a whole series of purchases, costing all those involved, money, time and patience."

The group fully supports the government in the introduction of home information packs.

The Minister for housing and planning, Yvette Cooper welcomed the formation by commenting "the establishment of a trade association is a reflection of the strong interest in the market I welcome their commitment to ensuring that Home Information Packs are introduced, smoothly and effectively in 2007"

Founder organisations include, First Title, The Homepack Group, Hometrack, MDA, MyHomeMove Conveyancing, Spicerhaart and searchflow.

If your organisation is interested in joining the Association of Home Information Pack Providers, you may telephone them on 0870 950 7739

alternatively email at information@hipassociation.co.uk