EPC

The Conservative Party has been challenged to a public debate on the pros and cons of Home Information Packs (HIPs), by HIP Payment Services.

Home information packs (HIPs) are to be rolled out on all properties sold in England and Wales from 14 December, it was announced today.

Jeff Smith, chief executive of HIP Payment Services, has called the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) ‘misleading and irresponsible' for claiming Home Information Packs will force first time buyers out of the housing market.

Just one in ten homebuyers who received a home information pack (HIP) before completing their property purchase have bothered to read its contents, according to Spicerhaart.

The parliamentary under secretary of state for housing and planning, Iain Wright MP, has been heckled at a conference hosted by the Association of Home Information Pack Providers (AHIPP).

A number of Home Information Pack providers have joined forces with HIP Payment Services to allow customers to pay for their HIP after they sell their home.

Home Information Packs became mandatory for all three bedroom house sales today, but the National Association of Estate Agents has warned HIPs will adversely affect the three bedroom home market.

HSBC says borrowers will be required to carry out their own local authority searches because those provided in HIPs do not carry sufficient insurance.

The Government has announced the rollout of Home Information Packs and Energy Performance Certificates for all homes with three bedrooms from 10 September.

Home Information Packs have finally gone live on all homes with four bedrooms or more after months of criticism and speculation.