Hips 'have not had a negative impact on housing market'

Posted: 08 Apr 2010 11:41:43 GMT

Home Information Packs (Hips) have not had a negative impact on the housing market, despite claims to the contrary, new research has shown.

According to a study by the Association of Home Information Pack Providers (AHIPP), homeowners became wary of the state of the housing sector in April 2007 – before Hips were introduced – with the number of properties coming onto the market falling by 25 per cent by July that year.

The Ipsos MORI poll commissioned by AHIPP found that 85 per cent of people had not been put off putting their home up for sale as a result of the Hips being implemented.

Hips have come in for heavy criticism, particularly from the Conservative party who have vowed to scrap them if they are elected.

Mike Ockenden, director general of AHIPP, said the research is proof that the Tory party's claims that Hips have detrimental to the sector are inaccurate.

"The Conservatives have always made Hips the whipping boy for the decline of the market. Anyone with an ounce of sense would have known that it was the collapse of the banks and the following recession which forced the market to stagnate," he added.

AHIPP recently suggested that 30 per cent of home buyers have adopted measures recommended in an energy performance certificate to make changes that will save energy in their home.


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