The government has been slammed over the introduction of Home information packs (Hips), which many blame for preventing people making a fast property sale.
[UKPRwire, Wed Jan 09 2008] A new report by a committee of MPs has attacked the government over its "poor preparation", which it claims meant the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) "lost its nerve".
The packs, which cost around £300, have been controversial since they were first discussed but continual delays to their rollout have not helped to increase public confidence.
Hips were originally set to be introduced for all properties in June but that was scrapped and instead it was decided that a phased rollout would be best.
Since December, all properties in England and Wales have needed a Hip before they can be sold, with many people contacting quick sale property firm National Homebuyers in order to avoid paying for one of the packs.
Director Julian King says, "The roll out of Hips across all price bands has left the consumer with unnecessary additional costs and understandable confusion.
"Homeowners looking to sell their property without incurring any Hips costs cannot acheive this by selling on the open market. Hips was badly planned, badly explained and badly executed".
Mr King is a director of National Homebuyers, the UK's leading provider of quick house sale and Sell and Rent Back solutions. The company guarantees to make a guaranteed cash offer on any UK property. As a commercial private buyer, the company does not require the vendor to pay for a Hips pack in order to sell their house.