Richards Gray have greeted the Government’s decision to postpone the introduction of HIPs until 1st August with disappointment, given that we are fully ready to deliver our HIP solutions to our many hundreds of registered clients. We have delivered over 750 full trial HIPs (with EPC’s and HCR’s) to estate agents and solicitors in recent months, and our systems are tried and tested.
Rob Heginbotham, Sales and Marketing director commented as follows on the announcement.
 “We will remain committed to the HIP programme and will deliver whatever solutions are required by our clients from August – but we are 100% ready to go now, so all our HIP teams are understandably a little deflated today! However, we are in the fortunate position that we have been selected by many high profile estate agents who sell a higher proportion of larger properties than the 17% national level.
It would appear that the government has been forced into a corner by the RICS judicial review, which would have made it legally impossible to implement the HIP and EPC programme on June 1st as planned. There would appear to be enough inspectors to start on 4 bedroom properties now, with over 500 fully accredited and another 1,000 at various stages of the accreditation process, as announced by the housing minister yesterday.
The decision to start with larger properties, and only to require a HIP to be commissioned rather than completed before marketing, leaves a huge number of issues re timing and enforcement to be resolved, but hopefully the government will give us some guidance in the coming weeks!
Our core search business remains unaffected, and goes from strength to strength, and we will now focus on enhancing the search-based products that we can offer to our clients, both old and new, until more clarity emerges from the HIP process”.
We will produce a more in-depth analysis when further details emerge from the CLG re the latest changes; however, all our clients can rest assured that whatever emerges over the next two months, we will be able to fulfil both your HIP and Search requirements in the future, whatever they finally look like in August and beyond!
HIP ordering software solution to be demonstrated at Law London conference this week
Over 100 Estate Agents nationwide already signed up
Richards Gray, the UK’s largest independent property search organisation, today announces their decision to link up with leading technology solutions provider, Quest Associates, for the provision of their online Home Information Pack ordering software solution.
Quest has over 25 years experience in developing software systems for the home buying sector and their experience and expertise were vital factors in Richards Gray’s choice of software provider. The key features of the online ordering system are:
- Web based interface with no software installation required
- Easy to navigate and quick to use with free training provided if required
- Very secure – system uses IP details as part of the login process
- Regular ‘milestone’ update e-mails and SMS sent ensuring user is kept up to date as the HIP is compiled, most importantly being instantly informed when a property is ready to be openly marketed
- Free online access to the HIP for vendors and any potential purchasers
- Free Access to Land Registry price comparable data
- Links all parties involved within the HIP process
Mike Richards, Managing Director at Richards Gray, said:
“We fully intend to be a major player in the HIP market, offering a range of flexible solutions to Solicitors and Estate Agents across the UK. An essential part of this offering is our delivery platform. The solution Quest is providing is cutting edge and will ensure that our client’s HIP ordering process is as simple and smooth as it possibly can be.
“Our business success has been based on providing top quality service and solutions to customers at all times and this link up with Quest is testament to our approach of only working with companies that deliver business excellence.”
The system will be demonstrated at the forthcoming Law 2007 conference, taking place at Olympia in London on 14 – 15 March.
“We’ll be demonstrating the new system at this weeks Law London conference so I would encourage anybody interested to come down to the event to see for themselves exactly what the system offers.”
Mr. Richards added. “Richards Gray have taken a very active role in the government funded AHIPP dry runs that have been taking place across the country since November last year. The company have so far produced approximately 10% of all HIPs completed as part of the dry runs and already have over 100 Estate Agents nationwide that have signed up for their flexible HIP solutions.”
Commenting, Lee Richards, Business Development Director, Richards Gray, said:
“We have been encouraged by the response received from Estate Agents participating in the AHIPP dry runs. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with Estate Agents stating that the dry runs have been vital in ensuring that they have a HIP solution in place. More importantly, participation has also enabled them to get a greater understanding of what is involved in a HIP, and explain to their customers the advantages that they can bring when selling their homes.”
 Following its successful participation in the first phase of the HIPs trials, where it was a major provider, Richards Gray is taking a leading role in the extension of the trials to new areas.
The government is extending its funded trial areas to include the London Borough of Southwark and North West Wales, and the Association of Home Information Pack Providers (www.hipassociation.co.uk) is extending its trials to include the M4 corridor, Manchester, Cardiff, Hereford, Plymouth, Leicester, Nottingham, Bristol, Liverpool, North West Wales, Southwark and the Thames Gateway.
The AHIPP initiative has been supported by well attended media events, many of them co-sponsored by Richards Gray. In addition we have been running a significant local and regional press campaign concentrating particularly in the Thames Valley but also taking in Bristol, Cardiff and Plymouth.
Much of the success of Richards Gray as a HIP provider, in addition to their having almost unrivalled experience of providing conveyancing information in pack format, is the fact that we won’t ask you to sign a non-exclusive agreement. Furthermore we don’t force you to use our suppliers, but we have all the resources if you require them. Our approach allows independent Estate Agents to work with already established commercial relationships.
Lee Richards, Business Development Director at Richards Gray, said, “The trials to date have been very successful, and we are keen to participate in their extension. HIPs become reality on 1 June this year and it is essential that all stakeholders in the process are ready and have their HIPs solutions in place. For this reason we have decided to do everything we can to help both the estate agents and consumers interact with and gain experience of the new process, and we are providing incentives to those who wish to participate in advance of the compulsory introduction in June”.
The incentive is that all estate agents signing up with Richards Gray now will receive 3 free HIPs (2 for one / two branch EAs) and in addition all further HIPs will be at the greatly reduced rate of £200 + vat. All the free and subsidised HIPs are the required contents, together with an EPC. The offer is available until March 31st.
If you would like more information on the Richards Gray range of HIP solutions or to take advantage of the incentive then please call 0118 934 7599 or email hips@richardsgray.co.uk
In response to feedback from the HIP Area Trials and industry, the government issued a consultation document yesterday 25th January 2007, which proposes certain changes to the HIP legislation as it currently stands.
One of the key changes affects personal searches, and removes the speculation once and for all that personal searches will not be allowed in HIPs when they are introduced in June 2007. Until April 2008, personal search companies will be allowed to continue to insure against problems arising from only having access to limited information which can cause issues in searches that they produce. This is particularly relevant to the provision of building regulations information.
Rob Heginbotham, Sales and Marketing Director at Richards Gray commented;
Clearly the government are trying to ensure that HIPs can be introduced with the minimum disruption possible to the housing market, and we are pleased that they remain committed to introducing HIPs on 1 June 2007, having now published a firm timetable.
As the leading national independent personal search provider, we are pleased that personal searches can be included until at least April 2008, whilst the government addresses the issue of speed and access to some information at local authorities. We welcome the CLG’s continued efforts to ensure equal access for all search providers.
With regard to the area trials, Rob is equally positive about the progress to date.
As one of the largest producers of packs in the Area trials (over 10% of all the packs ordered to date have been with Richards Gray with over 30 estate agents and solicitors), and we are very pleased with progress to date.
We have had no problem in securing capacity for EPCs and HCRs, and we are very happy with access to data at the majority of councils – in 90% of the councils nationwide, we are able to get an appointment within 4 working days on average – but the slowest 10% currently average nearly 10 working days, with the worst taking over 4 weeks. It is wrong to think that all council access is poor – this is not the case, but a few unacceptable exceptions have been used to create an inaccurate picture by those who oppose HIPs.
Richards Gray will be releasing its latest HIP software solution on Monday 5th February, and our team of regional account managers will be contacting all of our clients to finalise their Hip requirements and trial procedures.
If you would like more information on Richards Gray’s range of HIP solutions, please call 0118 9347599or email hips@richardsgray.co.uk
A summary of the other proposals is below. Responses to the proposals have been requested by 21 February, prior to the final HIP Regulations being laid before parliament before the Easter recess.
A full copy of the consultation paper can be viewed by clicking here
- Energy Performance Certificates
These must be the first document in a HIP and must be attached to the estate agents’ property particulars.
- Documents Required for Marketing
For a transitional period (to be reviewed in December 2007) a change has been made to address concerns that properties cannot be marketed without all the documentation available. Until December 2007, the only documents that must be included before a property can be marketed have been reduced to:
Index
Energy Performance Certificate
Title Documentation
Sale Statement
Leasehold Documentation (if required)
There must be evidence that remaining documents (including searches) have been commissioned, and that the documents should be available within 28 days.
For those properties already on the market before 1st June, the deadline by which they will need a HIP has been extended to 31st March 2008.
- Properties Taken Off Market
Originally, if a property was taken off the market for 28 days, a new HIP was required. Now, a new HIP is required only if the property is taken off the market for over a year after the original marketing date.
- Flood and Ground stability searches
The government will consider making these mandatory at some period in the future, but not from June 2007, when reliable systems are in place to determine which areas would required such a report in the HIP, thereby avoiding extra costs in areas where there is clearly no risk.
- Home Use and Home Contents Forms
These will remain authorised from June 2007, and further consultation will be carried out as to whether they become mandatory in the future.
 Richards Gray is one of 31 leading Search and HIP providers to join the Property Codes Compliance Board (PCCB) as an inaugural member.
Two separate codes have been established, the Search Code and the HIP code, sponsored by COPSO and AHIPP, respectively to set minimum standards for Search and HIP providers. Richards Gray, as a leading provider of searches and HIPs subscribes to both codes
Adherence to stringent standards is strictly enforced and the PCCB has been established to maintain a register of firms committed to operating within these new standards of practice and to independently monitor compliance. There is also a requirement to have adequate personal indemnity insurance in place.
 The PCCB is an independent body funded by registered firms and employs experienced compliance professionals to implement the codes. The Board will have representatives from lenders, conveyancers, HIP providers, and search organisations, and will remain focused on ensuring that consumers are a key priority as the HIP programme develops.
Commented Mike Richards, Manager Director, “Having been in the industry for nearly 20 years I welcome the setting up of a body which will set the highest standards and enforce them. Richards Gray is delighted to be a founder member, subscribing to both codes and in this way I believe we are sending a very clear message to our customers and their clients that we are totally committed to robust quality standards.”
For further information log onto www.propertycodes.org.uk
 Richards Gray won two top awards at the prestigious British Computer Society IM Awards held at a gala evening for over 1500 guests at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London on 7 December 2006.
The BCS IM Awards are regarded as the premier European recognition of excellence and innovation in the management of business information. To quote BCS, "They are a showcase for the success stories of organisations that have demonstrated the vision and business skills to implement highly successful projects utilising leading-edge IT and business technologies."
This year’s Awards, presented by Kate Silverton, BBC newsreader, created an unprecedented interest with over 200 different companies from the public, charity and private sectors entering. The cross-industry awards, which are sponsored by Computer Weekly, recognise, promote and acclaim excellence, professionalism, innovation and the outstanding achievements to which individuals and groups contribute.
Rob Heginbotham Sales & Marketing Director, says "We are delighted to have been chosen by the BCS judges for two awards. It is tremendously rewarding to be recognised professionally in this way, as well as to be working on such an exciting and ground-breaking project. These awards mean a lot to the Richards Gray team who worked on this with such dedication and innovation and to our partners, GroundSure who worked with us in the development of the online ordering system."
"We won awards for the best use of Customer Relationship Management software in a website (from a shortlist of 19 companies including BT, Nationwide BS and Royal Bank of Scotland) and we were also awarded the best use of GIS in a UK website (from a shortlist of 10 companies including Defra, Hiberian, Land Registry, Royal & Sun Alliance, The RAF and United Utilities). Thank you to everyone who has made this achievement possible."
 Richards Gray has recently completed two significant office moves to meet the growing requirements of both the existing conveyancing search business and the new HIP solutions as we move towards June 2007.
A second office has been opened in the Twyford area in Berkshire, less than a mile from our main office (into which we only moved in September 2005), and this is now the base for the Sales and Marketing, HIP development and new business teams. The main office is now totally focused on operations and finance.
Mike Richards, Managing Director, is delighted that we have been able to secure such high quality additional space in close proximity to our main office.
I am both very surprised and very pleased, that we have had to take on additional space so soon after our last move. The new premises will allow our Sales and Marketing and development teams to focus fully on delivering our Hip solutions, whilst at the same time allowing us the space to expand our day-to-day operations in our main office.
The Richards Gray Cardiff office has also been relocated to new premises at 31 Cathedral Road, Cardiff which will also allow our Welsh business to take advantage of the opportunities that HIPs will bring.
Offering the full range of Richards Gray products, the staff in Cardiff are committed to serving the market in Wales and surrounding areas on a local and personal basis. Commenting on the move Divisional Manager Chantelle Gunning added “we would be delighted to see both old and new clients; all you need to do is pick up the phone”
 The “First Past the Post” Hip seminar series concluded at Fontwell Park racecourse.
The six seminars covered a wide range of HIP related topics and demonstrated Richards Gray’s comprehensive solutions, including the online ordering system. All were extremely well attended by in total over 500 estate agents, solicitors, brokers and Home Inspectors.
Rob Heginbotham, Sales and Marketing director, was delighted by success of the seminars.
The seminar series was entitled “First Past the Post” because Richards Gray believe that we have a very strong set of flexible solutions which can help estate agents of all sizes win the race to June 2007!
“We have been delighted by the positive response to our proposals, and by the number of agents who are now engaging proactively with the HIP process. Whether people are pro or anti HIPs in principle, the smart money is now definitely on HIPs becoming a reality in June 2007. Now is the time to get organised, identify a solution that works for you and start trial activity”.
As well as presentations from Rob, the seminars featured speakers from both AHIPP and the DCLG, and also Richard Rawlings (www.insideoutpr.co.uk) provided an inspirational vision on how estate agents have a great opportunity to create a competitive advantage and add value by their use of HIPs.
Just how well the seminars were received in all aspects can be seen by the numerous positive comments made on the day.
Some found the whole event thought provoking:
“excellent, informative, innovative, thought provoking”………..Sarah Webb; Gwyn James solicitors
“very useful update and your non-exclusive aspect is very attractive”………..Nigel Sherwood;Winterbothams Ltd
Others emphasised the quality of the Richards Gray solution:
“a very impressive complete solution…”………..Stuart Cartwright; Marchant Petit EA
“most geared to my needs than any other provider”………..Roger Staszewski; Kingswood Estates
“once again Richards Gray have come up with a comprehensive and practical solution, this time for HIPs.”………..Michael Moore, ML Law Ltd
Some just had a great day!:
“very good presentation, good fun day, all Richards Gray staff very helpful” ………..Louise Hawes; Lennon & Co
If you were unable to attend a seminar and would like more information on the Richards Gray HIP solution then please contact Ben Hobbs, our National Sales manager on 07730 626505 or bhobbs@richardsgray.co.uk
<< Download pdf >>
Following the successful early roll out of Home Information Packs (HIPs) in six locations across the UK, the Association of Home Information Pack Providers (AHIPP) is now ready to announce an additional 12 locations where its members will be offering consumers an opportunity to purchase a pack ahead of their mandatory introduction in June next year.
Over 90 local businesses, including estate agents, pack providers and home inspectors in the first six locations have committed their support and signed up to take part in the early roll out which commenced on the 6th November in Newcastle. Consumers in each of the selected locations are now able to request a HIP to aid a faster and more transparent sale of their home, with a number of packs commissioned within the first few days of the launch going live. ....Read more
Richards Gray – First Past the Post
Full list of venues and dates:
Chepstow Racecourse 22nd November
Newcastle Racecourse 25th November
Kempton Park Racecourse 29th November
Exeter Racecourse 1st December
Newbury Racecourse 13th December
Fontwell Park 25th January
Following the announcement on 21st September, subsequent government activity, and the launch of the 6 AHIPP / DCLG early roll-out area trials which are now taking place, we believe that the smart bet is now that HIPs will start on June 1 2007, and the industry must now take all the necessary steps to be ready!
We have therefore decided to hold a series of seminars in November and December to update our existing and potential clients on our revised range of HIP solutions, financing options, and to demonstrate our HIP ordering and management software, which is fully OPERATIONAL and WORKING – we will be building and managing a live HIP during the seminar!
Some of you will have attended the Richards Gray seminar series last autumn, which was very well received, and by far the best of these were staged in conjunction with race meetings! So, on the principle of building on a proven formula, we will be running the 6 seminars around the country at various race meetings! There is of course no charge for attending one of the “First Past the Post” seminars, and we are confident that the day will be both informative and enjoyable.
As well as hearing from Richards Gray, there will be a range of speakers from other sectors of the industry, including AHIPP, the DCLG, leading solicitors, home inspector training centres, and estate agents who are already trialling the Richards Gray HIP solution! Full details listed below.
We very much hope that you will be able to join us, and the reason is simple.
Whatever your view of the HIP process, whether you are pro or against, now is the time to take action and secure your capacity. The risk is in doing nothing now, and then having to rush and cobble together a solution at the last minute.
Richards Gray have been information provision experts to the residential property industry for 18 years – we have vast experience in doing the “nuts and bolts” of HIPs! We have decided to make the investment in HIPs, and therefore taken the risk – all you have to do is work with us to develop the solution that works for you!
We look forward to hearing from you. Please complete the online registration form by clicking here or contact Davina Thawley on 07921 058398 / dthawley@richardsgray.co.uk or your Regional Account Manager if you would like more information.
As of Monday 23rd Oct 2006 the Cheshire Brine Subsidence Compensation Board has made the decision to discontinue Cheshire Brine searches. Extra questions relating to Cheshire Brine will now be covered in the re-formatted CON29M which can be ordered in the normal manner from Richards Gray www.richardsgrayonline.co.uk If you require a Cheshire Brine Search please ensure you order a Coal Mining Search.
There will be no increase in fees for a Coal Report. The Coal Authority will soon be launching a new Ground Stability Report in conjunction with British Geological Survey. This will soon also be made available from Richards Gray www.richardsgrayonline.co.uk
Richards Gray are delighted to be working with Halifax based Nicholas Smith Solicitors to provide Home Information Packs in the Halifax and Calderdale area. The first pack was produced recently and received prominent coverage in the local press.
Given the recent changes to the HIP programmes introduced by the government, it is very encouraging to see pro-active firms such as Nicholas Smith moving forward with their HIP propositions. The firm has had detailed discussions with several local estate agents who have agreed to pilot the HIP service from Nicholas Smith, and the HIPs will be marketed locally as “Calderdale HIPs”.
Richards Gray will provide all the searches for the packs as well as the IT systems, printing, and production capacity for the HIPs, which will be co-branded with the Nicholas Smith logo and corporate colour schemes.
Rob Heginbotham, Richards Gray’s Sales and Marketing Director, believes that the approach adopted by Nicholas Smith is one that solicitors should replicate around the country.
“Nicholas Smith’s approach, providing a flexible solution direct to local estate agents, is exactly the route that high street solicitors should be following in order to secure their position in the market when HIPs are introduced. Provided the government do not make any more significant changes, the new “required HIP” has a strong legal focus, and solicitors are now strongly placed to market and manage HIP solutions locally. Richards Gray’s HIP solutions are ideally suited to supporting solicitors in this sector”.
Media pressure forces major change to HIP programme.
 The government has announced a major change to the programme for the introduction of HIPs in June 2007, with the Home Condition Report (HCR), the most significant required change to the current process, being down graded to “authorised” as opposed to mandatory. Yvette Cooper announced that in it’s place, an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) will be compulsory, alongside searches and other legal elements of the HIP. Click here for full report from housing minister Yvette Cooper
Richards Gray’s core competency, the provision of search information, now becomes the bedrock of the pack, alongside key Land Registry documents. It would appear that the Home Use and Home Contents forms remain authorised documents, a change that was made when the latest set of draft regulations were published in June 2006.
The EPC is now openly being promoted as the most important part of the whole HIP process. This report has always been required under the HIP legislation, but was originally part of the HCR – it will now be a compulsory standalone report.
There has been much concern about the value of the HCR and the ability of industry to deliver the required number of Home Inspectors by the compulsory June 2007 introduction. Equally, it is suggested that lenders will be more prepared to rely on the HCR as opposed to requiring a mortgage valuation when they have properly developed Automated Valuation Models, which is likely to be in 2008 /09.
The government claim that they have not abandoned the HCR altogether, but say that they will “work with the industry to facilitate market-led take-up of full HCRs”, and that “ Mandatory HCRs will remain on the table if the industry fails to make a success of the roll out of HCRs”.
Commenting on the changes, Rob Heginbotham, Richards Gray’s Sales and Marketing director had mixed reactions:
“This sudden change from the government is not entirely unexpected, and it remains a major question as to whether industry will be able to persuade the public that there is merit in spending several hundred pounds on a voluntary HCR. It would appear a distinct possibility that once the government’ apparent “primary aim” of meeting EU energy savings obligations is met, the HCR may disappear completely – industry will decide, and judging by the early reaction of many estate agents, they will do little to promote a concept that they have fought against for so long!
However, the new format of the “compulsory HIP” can still deliver significant benefits to the home-buying process, and our core products are at the heart of the “new HIP”. We certainly believe that this potentially places solicitors and the conveyancing industry back in control of the process of transferring title on residential property, and we will be discussing the new opportunities that this presents with all of our clients.
Richards Gray continues to support the overall concept of the Home Information Pack, and the government’s goal of “introducing greater transparency and competition to drive down costs and incentivise better service and clearer redress for consumers.” We will continue to work with the wider industry, COPSO, AHIPP and the DCLG towards achieving this.”
Rob Heginbotham
Sales and Marketing Director
Richards Gray
The award is for promoting and showcasing best practice, innovation and achievement within the ICT cluster.
Richards Gray’ Operations Director Oliver Reid said, “Congratulations must go to all involved in the design, development and implementation of www.richardsgrayonline.co.uk. Their perseverance and attention to detail has contributed greatly to the success of this project.”
In September the Richards Gray head office re-located to new larger premises. The new office is still local to Twyford and located at Ruscombe Business Park. The move was necessary due to the constant growth and expansion of all areas of the business at Richards Gray.
Jonathan Stebbings Office Manager explains “The relocation of the Twyford office has provided enhanced facilities for all our employees. The structure and layout of the new offices have been designed to provide flexibility in the way we operate and indeed adapt to our customer’s requirements. As we continue to develop and improve the quality of our customer service the new offices have enabled us to introduce new methods and procedures. With the ever-changing requirements of our clients and the introduction of new ordering options, Interserve House provides various options in the way we expand and build our business”
Directions to the new head office can be found here
The seminars have already proved extremely popular with a number of very clear factors that keep recurring. Perhaps the most important of these is the importance of local relationships between estate agents and solicitors – these relationships have often been built up over a considerable period of time and are very valuable. Richards Gray recognises this, and has developed a HIPs strategy and solution that will allow you to maintain and develop these relationships.
The seminars also cover the newly launched Richards Gray 'search and survey' packs – the forerunner to HIPs themselves - which are available for both purchasers and vendors – giving you a chance to break new ground with your clients as HIPs draw ever closer. Full details of the HomeBuyer’s and HomeSeller’s packs are available here or why not register for one of up coming seminars.
A full seminar timetable can be found below: The following seminars are currently scheduled. Click on any of the venues below for details and to register
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