Hips introduction 'to be delayed'

The government is going to delay the introduction of Home Information Packs (Hips) and they will not be compulsory from June 1st anymore.

Ruth Kelly, the communities secretary, is to make an announcement later this afternoon which denies that the Hips will be scrapped but makes clear when the system will be finally implemented.

This move came hours before the House of Lords was due to vote on halting the introduction of Hips and the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors has also announced that it will launch a legal challenge against Hips.

Michael Gove, the shadow housing minister, said: "Ministers must now acknowledge that they have botched this from beginning to end.

"Now is the time to work with us in the interests of the housing market and combating climate change."

Critics argue that the packs are an unnecessary expense for people putting their homes on the market and that they would discourage the selling of homes.


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