22
Nov
Hips roll-out for all homes on December 14th
Home information packs (Hips) will be rolled out for all UK homes
on December 14th, the housing minister has announced.
Yvette Cooper confirmed the universal introduction of the packs at
a press conference this morning.
Once in place, Hips will assist the UK's first time buyers by
allowing them to access more information about potential house
purchases and will reduce their costs, she said.
Phil Irving, managing director, of Team Conveyancing and the
architect of Team's successful "no sale no fee" Hip scheme welcomed
the Government announcement.
He said: "All of us involved in helping to smooth the
implementation of this legislation will now breathe a huge sigh of
relief that by year end all of the UK residential property stock
will be subject to the Hips regime and a level playing field can
now exist. The beleaguered energy assessors will certainly have a
happier Christmas".
He went on to give a guarded welcome to the extension of first day
marketing to the 1st June next year whilst stressing that "Hips
will not really come into their own and be fully appreciated by
consumers until the complete Hip has to be in place before
marketing commences".
The average cost of a Hip so far has been between
£300-£350, Ms Cooper claimed.
