No sign of end to Hips debate

19-Jul-2007

First time buyers anxious to know whether or not they will receive a Home information pack (Hip) when purchasing a property seem set to remain confused following the latest round of developments concerning the controversial packs.

Yesterday it was advised that the packs, due to be introduced for properties with four or more bedrooms from August 1st, could follow for all homes before the end of the year, but the House of Lords has now voted by 186 to 160 in favour of calling on the government to abandon Hips.

Reacting to the news, the Association of Home Information Pack Providers (AHIPP) called the narrow vote "Tory politicising" that would not prevent the packs from being introduced.

"The housing market needs reform; Hips are the best move in the right direction for a long time," commented Dominic Toller of Hip provider LMS.

"The truth is that market forces will keep the cost of Hips competitively priced and Hips will radically reduce the number of failed transactions. How can this be bad news for any party?" Mr Toller added.

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