Plans for Home Information Packs 'in freefall' » Housing » 24dash.com

Government plans for mandatory Home Information Packs appear "to be in freefall," after criticism from leading surveyors, the Conservatives warned today.

Shadow Local Government Secretary Caroline Spelman urged Ministers to "abandon" the packs due to cost around £500 each and which every home seller must have before putting their property on the market.

The new law is due to come into force in June 2007, but the proposals which have been fought over in Parliament for years have already been watered down.

The Government argues the HIPs will help take the stress out of the home buying and selling process as well as speed up the paperwork.

Although the controversial Home Condition Report will not now be a mandatory part of the Pack, vendors must still provide local authority searches, a property's title deeds and an Energy Performance Certificate before putting their home on the market.

Ms Spelman said the chief executive of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors has written to Housing Minister Yvette Cooper at the Department for Communities and Local Government to express serious concern over the proposed packs.

She said: "The Government has neither the backing of the industry nor the support of consumers over their tangled proposals for Home Information Packs.

"Their plans appear to be in freefall now, after criticism from the respected Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors which could hardly be more damning.

"This expensive red tape simply will not deliver the improvements the housing market needs.

"Labour should listen to what they are being told on all fronts, abandon the scheme and consult afresh, rather than try to save face by pushing on with implementing the flawed packs."

Ms Cooper dismissed the criticism of HIPs, insisting they would provide "important information" for homebuyers.

"RICS is upset because they want a monopoly on approving home inspectors and we have told them they can't have it," she said.

"As always, the Tories are backing a vested interest against that of consumers. The fact is that HIPs will provide important information for consumers, especially about the energy efficiency of homes."

Mike Ockenden, Director General of AHIPP said: "The HIPs conference provided a great opportunity to bring business people from across the industry together to hear the latest on HIPs and to put their questions directly to the Minister.

"The overwhelming response from both audience and panel that saw 100% agree that they would prefer to buy a home with a HIP, with even outspoken critics such as Nick Salmon raising their hands, is a clear indication that there will be consumer demand for the packs and we must now work together to prepare for their introduction.

"HIPs are going to happen and the industry must ensure that it is ready. We are commencing our early roll out of the packs in November and have received immense support from local businesses in the six identified locations. HIPs are on track and I am confident that they will be successfully implemented on 1st June 2007."