AHIPP: Spicerhaart's research that only 10% of buyers read HIPs

Paul Broadhead, Deputy Director General, Association of Home Information Pack Providers (AHIPP), comments on Spicerhaart's research that only 10% of buyers read HIPs: "As far as AHIPP is concerned, it is too early to make any firm conclusions about the way consumers use HIPs as we are only half way through the rollout of HIPs into the market since August 1st.

"Consumers are not, not reading HIPs out of choice - they are simply not being advised that a HIP is available in a large number of cases. Buyers are not being given a HIP automatically, instead they are having to request it specifically from the Estate Agent - so this figure does not surprise me.

"We have just issued an updated version of our HIP handling guide which states that once estate agents receive the HIP it should be made available to buyers immediately for their information. The Government should act now to roll out HIPs to the whole market so consumers are not confused over whether a property should have a HIP or not."