Estate agents slate HIPs

In a recent report estate agency officials have slated Home Information Packs, which were introduced by the government last year, stating that they are taking far longer to produce than was originally anticipated, and that they are also costing far more than officials had originally estimated. The report stated that over 50% of HIPs cost more than the target £350, with some packs costing over £500. The packs are supposed to be produced within four or five working days, but only one in eight is reaching this target.

Over 50% of HIPs are taking over twelve days to produce, and over 30% are taking over fifteen days, which is around three times the target production timescale. Officials from the Conservative Party, who have already branded HIPs a waste of time, have said that they want these controversial packs abandoned altogether. However, officials involved in the implementation of the packs still insist that they can help home buyers and sellers.

In support of the HIPs one official from the Communities and Local Government Department said: ‘The average cost of a HIP is between £300 and £350 which, apart from the energy performance certificate, is already part of the buying and selling process. The most authoritative analysis of HIPs found 72% of consumers were satisfied with them.’

However, estate agents as well as many consumers have expressed concern over the packs since they were introduced, claiming that they cause delays, put people off selling their homes, are too costly, and are too time consuming. The packs became compulsory for all residential properties being marketed for sale in England and Wales last December.

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