16/03/2007

Law Society warns on 'Home Information Packs'

The Law Society and housing experts have condemned ministers for failing to discuss the introduction of Home Information Packs (HIPs.)

The Law Society described the government's plans to introduce Home Information Packs (HIPs) on 1 June as "incomplete, potentially very costly to the consumer and damaging to the property market."

Along with major stakeholders in the home buying and selling process, The Law Society, has written to Minister for Housing and Planning Yvette Cooper, urging the government to meet with them before it is too late.

Law Society Deputy Vice President, Paul Marsh, said: "The government's decision to charge ahead with the introduction on the 1st June, despite the fact that the regulations are not yet finalised, and fail to deal with the realities of the marketplace, is reckless.

"The key problem of searches, which we have already been brought to the government's attention, has still not been properly addressed. We believe that for the government to deliver its policy objectives it must take into account the advice that we and other stakeholders have made to improve the house buying process."

Representatives from the Law Society met the Housing Minister on 12 February, but she unequivocally confirmed the government's intention to launch HIPs on 1 June 2007.

The Law Society said it would support practitioners to compete in the HIPs market and retain their key role in the conveyancing process and are working to provide a high quality HIP.

(SP/JM)

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