Proposal for improvements to Hips

Posted: 31 Jul 2008 14:38:39 GMT

A new Property Information Questionnaire (PIQ) may be introduced to help simplify the information contained in Home Information Packs (Hips).

The government proposals which were announced on Tuesday (July 29th) have been designed to improve the process of both selling and buying property.

Commenting on the latest proposals, housing minister Caroline Flint said: "Hips are an important first step in achieving greater efficiency and the Property Information Questionnaire will only improve on this, ensuring the buying and selling process is simpler for all."

Information in the questionnaire would include details of any work that had been carried out on the property, details of energy and utilities plus information on parking arrangements and the council tax band that the property is in.

The new PIQ could become part of the Hip as early as January 1st next year.

Peter Bolton King, chief executive of the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA), has said that "the CLG's consultation on whether a ‘questionnaire' should be included is interesting and perhaps will go some way to addressing the information a prospective purchaser might require."

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