Tories plan to scrap HIPs
The Shadow Housing Minister has confirmed that if the Conservative Party wins the next general election, Home Information Packs (HIPs) will be scrapped 'in a matter of weeks'.
In a newspaper interview Grant Shapps told the Times it would be his first task as Housing Minister.
He said HIPs will be easy to suspend and there are emergency powers that he can use to do it. This can happen very quickly - within a matter of weeks.
Mr Shapps added that in his opinion house prices are rising because supply is restricted and HIPs have not helped. That is why it is his main priority is to scrap them.
He made his pledge in support of a lobby of estate agents who said they feel the recovery in the housing market is being impeded by HIPs.
The typical cost of a HIP is between £300 and £400, which is a financial burden that homeowners have to endure and is one of the reasons why they are already reluctant to move.
In an apparent acknowledgement that the fate of the HIPs has been sealed, the Association of Home Information Pack Providers (AHIPP) said that it was working with the shadow minister on the next stage of reform.