Q&A: What has changed in the Government's plans?
Lucia Adams, assistant property editor of The Times, explains what has changed.
Until the government’s U-turn yesterday, home condition reports, akin to a traditional survey, were to be a compulsory part of the new Home Information Packs (Hips). Costing sellers up to £1,000 HIPs, which will be introduced from June next year, also include local authority searches and a property's title deeds.
The Government announced yesterday however that the home condition report - the most expensive part of the pack - would no longer be mandatory.
From June next year, sellers will only be obliged to provide a "half-Hip" at an estimated cost of £150 to £200. This will include local searches, title deeds and an energy performance certificate, which must be introduced under European law.
Hips were supposed to speed up the house buying process, ensure that fewer deals fell through, help first-time buyers and reduce the scope for gazumping.
