Home Information Packs are wrong says Ex-NAEA chief Williams

SPLINTA, the campaign group lobbying the Government against the introduction of compulsory Home Information Packs next year, have added a particularly notable name to the ranks of over 1,250 firms of estate agents, surveyors and solicitor/conveyancers in England and Wales – representing over 2,500 offices – supporting their cause.

The 1,000th signatory to their campaign was the firm of Williams & Goodwin, headed by Melfyn Williams, president of the National Association of Estate Agents in 2003-4.

SPLINTA spokesman Nick Salmon said: "We are delighted with the flood of support for the campaign which grows by the day. Melfyn Williams is a highly-respected figure in the property industry with a very go-ahead firm that clearly embraces professional standards and consumer care. For him to publicly lend his weight to SPLINTA should give the Government pause for thought."

Mr Williams said: "I don't think I am speaking out of turn and really nothing has changed since my presidency."

"I am still worried that this is not the correct solution and not right for the marketplace."

"I know the Packs are only a year away from the scheduled date of introduction but I don't think it is too late for the situation to be changed – and even if it isn't, debate on the matter now will only help ease the situation later. Whatever happens, estate agents will make it work but I still think it very much worth campaigning for the Home Information Packs (Hips) to be scrapped – or at least for them not to include Home Condition Reports – especially as consumers have only just become aware of them and their implications."

The announcement of Mr Williams' addition to the SPLINTA ranks comes as activity starts to hot up over Home Information Packs (Hips) – on both sides of the debate.

The Government has launched a trade awareness campaign as well as announcing that a 'dry run' for the Packs is ongoing.

Meanwhile, the Conservative opposition, who have come out firmly against Packs, have expressed delight that TV property presenters Phil Spencer and Kirstie Allsopp have added their voices to the ranks of those against.