HOME INFORMATION PACKS

That this House is concerned at the current stalling of the housing market and its knock-on effects on local economies; notes that there is uncertainty about the precise impact of home information packs (HIPs) but that the evidence from sellers, buyers and estate agents indicates that HIPs do not represent value for money, are inhibiting the market, increase costs and are ineffective; and therefore calls on the Government to make HIPs voluntary pending further research into their usefulness.