HIPs to be Abolished

Although we have become used to the Government announcing initiatives which never see the light of day (or announcing them as new initiatives months or years later), the news that Home Information Packs (HIPs) have been scrapped by the new Government will cause no surprises.

HIPs, introduced after a rather unsuccessful trial in Bristol and some other cities several years ago, have never been popular with vendors and have offered little real protection to property buyers.

The order to abolish the HIP (which applies only to residential properties) was said to have been signed last Friday. However, with a whole new industry having grown up as a result of their introduction, a legal challenge to the proposed abolition of HIPs is possible.

Breaking news: the order was confirmed by a press release on 20 May.

Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) will continue to be required.

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