All systems go for Hips

Home information packs (Hips) have today become a mandatory part of the home-selling process for all UK properties, bringing to an end the first phase of what has proved to be a highly controversial scheme.

The packs were initially set to be launched for homes with four or more bedrooms on June 1st, but this was ultimately delayed until August 1st, with three-bedroom homes requiring the packs from September 10th.

However, the Association of Home Information Pack Providers (AHIPP) has said that more must be done to make the buying and selling process more efficient.

"For Hips to fully inform potential buyers about properties they are viewing it is vital that Home Condition Report (HCR) is made a mandatory part of the pack and that many of the searches which provide information on flooding, ground movement and contamination are included," said AHIPP director general Mike Ockenden.

"By bringing this information back into the pack and certain documents that are required to complete the legal process, Hips can be made exchange ready.

"This means that a buyer who has an offer accepted can pass the pack to his or her lawyer who can rely on the contents and move quickly to exchange of contracts," Mr Ockenden continued.

The comments come as the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) has again said that the packs will have a negative effect on the housing market.

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