Those who trained for HIPs should be given compensation

21 June 2010

An open letter to Prime Minister David Cameron

May I offer you my congratulations on becoming Prime Minister and offering the hand of friendship to Nick Clegg and the Liberal Democrats.

I believe that by working together you can get the country out of the deep black hole it is in.

But I have a problem and I wonder if you can help me.

Along with thousands of others, I decided to believe the previous government when it said a brand new career path would be opening up as a home inspector for the Home Information Pack scheme.

Of course, I did not go into this blindfolded and did my research before parting with my hard-earned savings and embarking on my training with a company called Home Inspector Training.

The firm had four branches and a sister company called Hip Hip Hooray which provided packs.

I trained at HIT’s Bristol centre and was promised that I would earn more than £48,000 a year, although this was not the reason I trained.

I’ve always had an interest in the construction industry and felt I could help home buyers through the process by making it easier and cheaper for them to discover faults in their dream homes. I also thought HIPs could speed up the transaction process.

But the training company did not live up to its promises and in fact, changed its name five times in two years. We had to pay for our training upfront and then pay extra for examinations. I took and passed seven exams in total.

To receive a licence we had to complete a portfolio of 10 properties and were marked after two to ensure we were completing the process correctly.

After completing 10 properties the portfolio was handed in to be assessed, for which there was another charge. And for each subsequent reassessment there was yet another charge.

The company, now called Property Professionals, went into administration in February leaving students and trainers out of pocket.

I spoke to my previous MP Jim Knight in 2008 to ask for his help. He said he would make me an appointment with the then housing minister but this never happened.

But he did tell me that the government owed us a duty of care. Very caring, I’m sure - I didn’t hear from Knight again until he wanted to be re-elected this year.

I know you have scrapped HIPs but don’t you think you owe a duty of care to students who have been left out of pocket along with HIP firms and home inspectors who will now have to cease trading, throwing more individuals out of work?

The government should offer us compensation for our expenses and the life savings we have spent.

I’m now unemployed but unable to claim benefits because I am married, even though I have always paid my National Insurance.

DAPHNE GROUT-SMITH

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