NAEA in criticism on Hips anniversary

The National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) has launched a new attack on home information packs (Hips) on the first anniversary of their introduction.

NAEA chief executive Peter Bolton King said: "Since the conception the packs have been surrounded by a catalogue of disasters," adding that contrary to their purpose of improving the buying and selling process, "they have served as a hindrance and nothing more than a purposeless piece of red tape."

He added that it was possible the packs have made the housing market worse at a time when it has been under pressure.

Hips were phased in over a period of several months last year between August and December, following the postponement of the scheduled launch in June 2007, starting with larger houses on August 1st and including all homes by December 14th.

Those who self build their homes can avoid having to deal with the packs at all.