Home movers against Home Information Packs

The Government’s announcement to delay the implementation of Home Information Packs (HIPs) by two months, just eight days before they were due to come into force on the 1st June, has done nothing to change attitudes of the UK population.

Research shows that nine out of ten (87%) home movers polled by ConveyanceLink, leading conveyancing case management provider, said NO to HIPs.

What’s more, in an entirely separate study, the same percentage (87%) of estate agents said they didn’t believe HIPs could be implemented.

When 1,276 home movers were asked if they were in favour of the HIP, only 9% thought it was a good idea and a further 4% said they weren’t sure, despite claims from the Government that trials of the pack are going well.

With so many consumers against the current plans for home buying and selling reform, it is clear that the implementation will be detrimental to the health of the wider housing market – as people simply opt not to move, or to move before the scheme is brought into force on the 1st August, hence avoiding the additional complexity and cost.

In the separate industry opinion poll, 93% of estate agents said they had been involved in promoting HIPs and creating awareness of the legislation prior to its original launch date, but only 27% said they would continue to do so as the scheme has been delayed and regulations are being revised.

Malcolm York, Director at ConveyanceLink, comments; “It’s interesting to see the same massive percentage of consumers and industry professionals have no faith in the HIPs scheme. It’s not surprising that people are sceptical, the entire system is in disarray and the regulations are simply unworkable.

“The Government has neglected to listen to the industry and has subsequently put livelihoods at risk throughout the property sector, which is completely unacceptable. There is no question that changes and improvements to the process need to be made, but HIPs look like a disaster still waiting to happen.”