Most Brits say Hips are a good idea

Most Britons believe home information packs (Hips) are a good idea, research out today finds.

As much as 63 per cent of people believe the packs should have been introduced, a study from FindaProperty.com shows.

The introduction of the packs, which became compulsory those selling a homes with four or more bedrooms from today, was largely seen as botched job by the government.

However, 85 per cent of Britons say the introduction of Hips could have been better managed.

Almost half of those surveyed said they thought the packs should be free, and a quarter wanted to see them cost less than £200.

In terms of what they would most like to see added to Hips, eight in ten Britons said the council tax band should be included, and seven in ten opted for flood risk information being in Hips.

There was widespread awareness of energy performance certificates being included in the packs, 71 per cent rightly saying that Hips included home energy ratings.

However, the home condition report, which was ditched from the compulsory contents of the pack over a year ago, was wrongly thought to be in the packs by 59 per cent of Brits.

Mike Ockenden, director general of the Association of Home Information Pack Providers (Ahipp), said: "Hips are finally here and should be welcomed by consumers, environmentalists and industry alike."

He added: "The key message that appears to have been lost over the last year is that Hips are a good thing . . . they are here to help improve the house buying and selling process for all involved – bringing vital information to the front of the process that, in the long term, will save consumers money as well as aiding a faster and more transparent process."