Fresh woe for Hips

Posted: 06 Sep 2006 12:04:14 GMT

Despite the best efforts to mount a publicity offensive by the Association of Home Information Pack Providers (AHIPP) it appears that Home Information Packs (Hips) are to be delayed.

Jeremy Leaf from the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) told the BBC Radio 4's Money Box programme that it is "almost inconceivable" that Hips will be rolled out on time.

Industry figures have joined RICS' pessimistic review of Hips by castigating its core elements, which have been criticised before.

The Home Condition Reports (HCRs) aspect of Hips was publicly admonished by the Conservatives as being pointless due to the government making them non-compulsory.

Energy reports have now been tipped as the Hips' saving grace and AHIPP has stated that they are a significant part of the product.

However, Rachel Blackmore, a spokesperson for the Building Societies Association, believes otherwise.

"They will probably have minimal impact, as this is not usually the deciding factor as to whether someone purchases a property or not," Ms Blackmore stated.

She added: "We don't believe there will be any impact on the housing market if Hips are not launched next June, the market will not mourn what it never knew."

It remains to be seen what AHIPP makes of the latest public dismay at the Hips roll-out, but many experts believe the confidence in the Hip has taken an unbridgeable battering in recent months.


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