Government under fire over Hips

The Department of Communities and Local Government has been criticised by a committee of MPs over the implementation of home information packs (Hips) last year.

Original plans to introduce the packs on June 1st were cancelled in favour of a phased rollout between August and December.

The Communities and Local Government committee said this decision had been taken due to a "failure of nerve" rather than conditions in the housing market, as pressure from the media and opposition politicians had mounted.

Committee chairwoman Dr Phyllis Starkey said there had been "poor preparation and then a retreat by the department's ministerial team".

Defending the government, housing minister Iain Wright claimed a lack of inspectors and a legal challenge by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) made a June roll-out impossible, reports the BBC.

He said the phased introduction was "deliberate" and ensured a "smooth transition".

Opponents of Hips argue the requirement for the seller to pay for the packs will deter some from speculatively putting their homes on the market, an action which Rics said last year leads to a fifth of home sales.


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