Disappointment over Hips back down
May 23, 2007 by admin
Filed under News, News-Mortgages
The decision to delay the introduction of Home Information Packs (Hips) into the home-selling process has left a number of industry figures disappointed.
Hips were due to be introduced on June 1st, with the aim of reducing costs for buyers and improving the green credentials of homes in the UK.
However, the government has now announced that the start date for Hips will be put back to August 1st, initially with only homes with four or more bedrooms being subject to them.
The announcement has caused anger among those who support Hips and some parties have been warning of negative consequences.
“This latest decision is at the cost of the consumer and the environment,” said Mike Ockenden, director general of the Association of Home Information Pack Providers (Ahipp).
He went on to blame the government back down on a recent legal challenge which as launched by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (Rics).
“It appears to have been Rics, through their call for a judicial review, which has ultimately derailed this vital house buying and selling reform, so soon before its planned implementation,” he continued.
“This is a serious let down and it is both the consumer and the environment which will now suffer as a result of these latest changes. Consumers will have to endure the existing, broken house buying and selling process for at least a further two months, costing them time, money and unnecessary stress.”
AA Legal Services has also expressed its disappointment with the decision, claiming that there will be “many losers” as a result, including mortgage holders.
