Hips dispute continues

Posted: 05 Apr 2006 10:24:01 GMT

It seems the country is very much split in relation to Home Information Packs (Hips) and the debate is unlikely to subside in the near future.

David Cameron, leader of the Conservative party, has consistently claimed that Hips will prove a "roadblock to ownership" and he has promised that he will scrap the idea if he is elected.

The government, on the other hand, maintains that first-time buyers in particular will benefit as a direct result of Hips.

Arguing that the extra information will help to cut down on the £1 million that is wasted everyday on failed transactions, the government stresses that greater transparency can only benefit the market.

As homebuyers reel from the revelations in BBC's Whistleblower documentary on dodgy estate agents, it would be difficult to deny the latter point.

Some are still concerned, however, that the price of Hips will deter people from selling their properties, but the Association of Home Information Pack Providers insists that this will not be the case.

David Cameron's critics, meanwhile, point out that no alternative strategy has been proposed.


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