Minister heckled over Hips

18-Oct-2007

With first time buyers still yet to receive the benefits of Home information packs (Hips), many in the industry believed that the Association of Home Information Pack Providers' (AHIPP) annual conference would see the government announce a date for a full-scale rollout, but minister Iain Wright's failure to do so has been strongly criticised by the association.

Mr Wright, parliamentary under secretary of state for housing and planning, told the conference that market volatility brought on by the current credit crunch and a slowdown in house prices was delaying the extension of the scheme.

Hips were introduced for homes with four or more bedrooms on August 1st, and extended to three bedroom homes on September 10th, but a further rollout does not now appear to be forthcoming.

Prospective buyers already struggling to afford a first time buyer mortgage would benefit from having more information provided to them via the packs.

"The Minister's refusal to indicate the likely timing for full rollout of Hips to one and two bedroom homes clearly angered many people in the audience. They felt very let down by the government," said AHIPP director general Mike Ockenden.

"I would like to see no further hesitation in laying down the final commencement order.

"This will be to the benefit of first time buyers and those people trading down from three and four bedroom homes. It will also ensure that carbon emissions from our homes are reduced," Mr Ockenden added.

First time buyers 'will be indifferent to Hips'
http://www.firstrungnow.com/first-time-buyer-news/first-time-buyers-will-3520.aspx

Hips confusion could hit first time buyers
http://www.firstrungnow.com/first-time-buyer-news/hips-confusion-could-3467.aspx

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