Home Information Packs a flop
March 7, 2008
Home Information Packs (Hips) have been subject to heavy criticism since they were introduced last summer but a survey has revealed that 60% of purchasers were never shown a Hip on a property they were about to purchase.
Ipsos MORI, a multi-specialist research company, carried out the survey on 3,118 Hips. 60% of buyers said they had not seen a Hip while another 24% said they saw the pack after they made an offer.
The only people who could have been influenced by a Hip were the 16% who did see a Hip before making an offer.
Housing minister, Caroline Flint, said consumers are already benefiting from the introduction of Hips.
The Government was supported by the Hip Payment Service (HIPPS), which offers Hips to homeowners.
The research released today provides a clear indication the introduction of Hips has been a success and they have quickly become integrated in the home buying and selling process, said HIPPS chief executive, Jeff Smith.
However, Conservative Shadow Housing Minister, Grant Shapps, the results reveal what we and the industry have known all along, Hips are a complete waste of time.
Defending the scheme, Ms Flint added it is clear from the trials that more buyers wanted to see the Hip but it was not always made available to them. We have taken action to increase awareness of the right to see a Hip and to remind agents of their responsibility to provide one, added Ms Flint.
Approximately 370,000 Hips, costing between £300 and £350, have been issued since August.
Hips were launched on August 1 to include properties with 4-bedrooms or more and rolled-out to include 3-bedroom properties on September 10. They included all properties from December 14 last year.
It was revealed last week that Hips can highlight problems with asbestos according to the National Home Improvement Council (NHIC).
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