(1888PressRelease)
May 19, 2007 - Tories in the House of Lords have threatened a revolt following sustained criticism of the packs by industry insiders, while Liberal Democrat peers are also said to be considering their positions.
However, Mike Ockenden, director general of the AHIPP, believes the Conservative stance is questionable given the supposed benefits the packs will confer on the consumer and especially the environment.
"This self-confessed 'last-ditch' attempt to block the introduction of Hips spearheaded by shadow housing minister Michael Gove is political propaganda representing anti-democratic behaviour: the public voted for our current government and when doing so, they voted for Hips.
"It is very disappointing to see the Tory party follow a stance which is clearly not in the interest of the environment, the consumer nor the entrepreneur in the UK and I would seriously question their motives.
"The introduction of Hips will greatly reduce the carbon emissions of the existing housing stock and will help to improve what is currently one of the most fraught and stressful house buying and selling processes in Europe for consumers," Mr Ockenden added.
One of the country's leading property companies, National Homebuyers, reminds home-sellers that Hips is not needed for everyone. Director of the fast property purchase organisation Julian King says: "By selling your property to National Homebuyers, not only can you sell your property in days, rather than months, but also you will not need to provide a Hips pack.
"We purchase hundreds of properties by gathering our own information. Selling to National Homebuyers rather than the High Street estate agent would save the British home-seller hundreds of pounds by avoiding paying for Hips packs."
