Print friendly version 2 Oct 2007

Tories plan to scrap Home Information Packs

Kate O’Raghallaigh

A Conservative Government would scrap Home Informations Packs (HIPs), it was revealed yesterday.

Shadow housing minister Grant Shapps, has said that HIPs are unnecessary in the current housing market, and referred to them as 'clumsy', and 'ineffective'.

HIPs were introduced in June, and aim to speed up the housebuying process by providing information about the property, such as energy performance and terms of sale, into one pack, received by potential buyer on showing interest in the property, and paid for by the seller.

Shapps added: "The experts ridiculed them. The industry doesn't want them. The market doesn't need them. And I can pledge to you today, the next Conservative Government will scrap them."

HIPs were originally introduced for properties of four or more bedrooms, however as of 10 September this year, homes with three or more bedrooms are also required to have a HIP when putting their property on the market.

The cost of arranging a HIP currently stands between £350 and £550, plus VAT. Jeff Smith, of HIP Payment Services said: "The suggestion that a Tory Government would scrap HIPs is both irresponsible and impractical. Scrapping HIPs will endanger the occupations of thousands of people from energy assessors and Home Inspectors, to pack providers. The introduction of HIPs has been a great success, proving a key building block in the overhaul of our creaking housing market."

 

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