To implement the Office of Fair Trading’s recommendation about price transparency for local authority (LA) property search services we have commissioned a study by KPMG which will conclude in mid-July 2007. This will be followed by a formal 12-week consultation on the outcomes. The aim is to have a transparent LA charging regime in place from April 2008. Forty local authorities have already cut their costs in anticipation of home information packs (HIP) because they know that, for the first time, the charges and the length of time taken will be transparent to the consumer and to HIP providers.