Property industry professionals back HIPs

Homeowners considering buying a conservatory may wish to ensure it is as energy efficient as possible after a recent survey found the majority of housing industry professionals backed the Home Information Pack (HIP) scheme.

The packs contain details about the property in question and are designed to give potential buyers an honest view of the house they intend to purchase (dash?) including facts about its heat retention.

More than two-thirds of attendees at the recent Land Data Great Housing Market Debate said HIPs should be amended as opposed to scrapped.

The result pleased Home Improvement Pack Providers director general Mike Ockenden, who said there is now a need for the industry to work together and improve the scheme.

"What this weeks vote suggests … is that there is an appetite within the industry to now work together to improve the current offering," he commented.

Mr Ockenden conceded certain changes would have to be made but remained confident about the viability of HIPs.

The Council of Mortgage Lenders recently commented that the chancellors Budget held few surprises and would do little to help the housing market in the short-term.