Tories lose crucial vote on Hips

Posted: 17 May 2007 09:56:24 GMT

Home information packs (Hips) look set to come into force after the Conservatives lost a House of Commons vote to scrap their introduction.

Home information packs (Hips) look set to come into force after the Conservatives lost a House of Commons vote to scrap their introduction.

The motion was lost by 306 to 234 votes, so the government won a majority of 72 to ensure Hips will be introduced on June 1st, in what many believe was only a symbolic effort by the Tories.

According to the government, Hips will significantly decrease the number of house sales that are not completed and make homeowners more energy efficient.

The Conservatives argue that Hips will significantly hike up the price of selling a house without sufficient benefits.

Energy certificates, the Tories say, should be introduced separately from Hips.

Michael Gove, Tory housing spokesman, said that the introduction of Hips will only confuse the selling process.

"They will do nothing to take the strain out of home-buying and only add cost and complexity to the housing market," he commented.

Earlier this week, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors said that it would be taking the government to court over Hips.

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