MP Warns against Home Information Packs

8.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 6th Jun 2006

Local MP, Adrian Sanders, has today warned the government against the introduction of Home Information Packs (HIPs) and the impact that they will have on local home buyers.

Adrian has signed a Commons Motion highlighting the cost and duplication of work that HIPs create. The motion also calls on the Chancellor of the Exchequer to cancel their implementation in order to protect the stability of the housing market.

Adrian Sanders said;

"A number of constituents have written to me who were concerned about the packs which will increase the cost of buying a home by around £1000. The wage to house price gap in Torbay is already unacceptably high and an introduction of a new 'tax' on purchasing property is only going to make the situation worse.

"I fear that HIPs will cause problems for all the stakeholders involved in the purchasing of property and pay little heed to problems and unnecessary expenses which will be encountered."

End

Notes to Editors:

Text of EDM:

That this House expresses concern over the introduction of home information packs from 2007; notes that industry experts have advised that home information packs will add up to £1,000 to the cost of buying an average home and duplicate the ongoing need for a valuation or structural survey; believes that they will discourage potential sellers from putting their homes on the market; notes that smaller solicitors and estate agents may be adversely affected; observes that the Government will benefit from a potential £110 million VAT windfall from the packs and that the Home Condition Register could be used to conduct a council tax revaluation by stealth; questions the lack of a proper dry run and whether sufficient home inspectors will be properly trained by 2007; and calls on the Chancellor of the Exchequer to push for their implementation to be delayed or cancelled in order to protect the stability of the housing market.

Government information on HIPs: http://www.homeinformationpacks.gov.uk/flash.aspx