After much confusion, legal action and general lack of co-ordination between the many parties involved, it looks as though the much heralded introduction of Home Information Packs (HIPs) is set to go ahead on 1 August, in England and Wales, unless we get another legal battle today!

Its seems that the government have come too far down the line to scrap the idea, even though the industry has always been, and continues to be, dead set against the introduction.  Indeed, many parties in the industry have openly stated that they will not accept all of the information in the pack, as much of it could be out of date by the time a prospective buyer appears.  Costing in the region of £400 - £700 per pack, they have added yet another layer of expense to what is a very complicated and expensive industry.

There is no doubt that the authorities have acted with the best intentions, looking at ways to reduce the transaction time, reduce cost and improve the information which prospective buyers receive.  Unfortunately the housing industry have not been allowed to have any major input along the way, a situation which is causing the confusion of today - as well as the fact there are insufficient inspectors to carry out all of the tests needed.

While the original guidelines have been watered down, with only homes with four or more bedrooms having to produce a HIP, there are plans to cover the whole housing spectrum in due course.  While it seems that the government have finally won the day, always expected the unexpected in this industry!