Hips pass Commons test
Wednesday, 16 May 2007 08:54
Home information packs will come into force on June 1st 2007
Home information packs (Hips) have passed one of their final hurdles after MPs rejected a motion to scrap them today.
The Conservative party had put forward a motion to stop the packs from becoming compulsory from June 1st 2007, but the packs were approved again by MPs.
The House of Commons vote follows legal action by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) to stop Hips due to no "proper consultation" taking place.
Ahead of the debate Rics spokesperson, Jeremy Leaf, said Hips were a "potentially damaging and chaotic policy".
"The introduction of Hips will have few benefits to the consumer and adversely affect the housing market and the wider economy."
He added: "The government should be brave and postpone their flawed plans for home buying reform."
The Association of Home Information Pack Providers (Ahipp) said the vote proved "yet again" the government was committed to Hips.
"Government has demonstrated its commitment to reducing the carbon emissions of our housing stock and to improving the house buying and selling process for consumers across England and Wales, through the implementation of home information packs," commented Mike Ockenden, Ahipp director general.
He added Hips were ready to be delivered and the packs would benefit consumers and the environment.