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The date for introducing Home Information Packs (Hips) in England and Wales has been put back to 1st August 2007 and will initially apply to homes with at least four bedrooms. The packs, which will contain useful information for any buyer, were due to become compulsory from 1st June 2007. Scotland is due to introduce its own version of the pack in 2008.
The whole idea of the packs has received a mixed response as some feel that it will add extra expense and red tape to the house selling process. Others have argued that it brings much needed transparency.
The packs are to contain information that will be useful to any potential buyer. Copies of title deeds, any recent planning permission or building consent given on the property, a local area search and an energy performance certificate will all be in the pack.
The main reason given for the delay is that there needed to be more assessors in place to produce enough energy performance certificates - as many as 2,000 more than are currently accredited. Once more assessors are trained, the requirement to have a Hip will be extended to small properties.
Another change is that sellers will not have to have a Hip in place before putting their property up for sale.
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