The Association of Home Information Pack Providers (AHIPP) are pleased that a housing review has been launched by the Conservative Party although they are disappointed that the party still wants to scrap Home Information Packs (HIPs).

Paul Broadhead, deputy director general of AHIPP, said: “A housing review launched by the Conservative party is long overdue and at last gives them a real opportunity to form a robust policy on this vital issue. It is good that they finally recognise that there are problems for buyers and sellers, although continuing to state that HIPs will be scrapped ahead of the results of this review seems a little premature.

“Claims that HIPs are of little benefit to buyers are simply untrue. 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.

“Currently one in four transactions fail when purchasing a house, costing consumers £1m per day. With the final roll out of HIPs for one and two bedroom homes taking place on 14 th December consumers will be provided with unprecedented consumer protection and redress for the first time. HIPs may not be a panacea for all the problems in the housing market, but if built upon correctly can provide the foundations for a revolution in the process for the benefit of all consumers.

“I urge the Conservatives to take into consideration all suggestions of how to improve this process and not let their view be coloured by the politicking that has taken place before. Consumers deserve complete transparency when buying a home and we welcome all constructive steps to further the reform.”