Hips expert: 'Problems for buyers and sellers'

The deputy director general of the Association of Home Information Pack Providers (AHIPP) has spoken of the difficulty of purchasing a house in light of proposed changes to Hips.

Speaking in the wake of comments by the Conservative Party on the home-buying process, as they launched a review of Hips, Paul Broadhead defended the value of the information packs.

While acknowledging that "there are problems for buyers and sellers" at the moment, he argued that Hips could play a key role in the property market.

"Claims that Hips are of little benefit to buyers are simply untrue," he said. "Hips are the first, vital step of home buying reform, set to speed up the process and make it more transparent, as well as aid first time buyers in getting onto the ladder."

first-time buyers have found it increasingly difficult to get on the property ladder, with the rapid growth in property prices in the last decade seeing many priced out of the market.

The rental sector has seen an upturn as a consequence, with London – where the average house price is now over £300,000 – particularly hard hit by the price increases.

Problems with the home-buying process itself have also been cited as a barrier for first-time buyers, with the controversial Hips seen as a potential solution.

Published 10th December, 2007

© 2007 Estates IT Limited