HIPS are a waste of time and money. Example energy efficiency statements appear to make sweeping generalist comments with recommendations that make little monetary sense.

The most obvious consequence of them, is that they will deter opportunist sellers from enterin the marketplace, which will significantly restrict the supply of housing stock for sale, and constrict the property market. I forsee many of the estate agents that have emerged over recent boom years struggling to survive over the coming months, principally because of this legislation.

Finally, as a prospective buyer I see no benefit whatsoever, in the packs, once again teh Government seeks to impose its will on buyers who are capable of choosing what investigations they wish to undertake before purchasing.

Steven Nock, Lichfield, England

HIPS are a waste of time and money. Example energy efficiency statements appear to make sweeping generalist comments with recommendations that make little monetary sense.

The most obvious consequence of them, is that they will deter opportunist sellers from enterin the marketplace, which will significantly restrict the supply of housing stock for sale, and constrict the property market. I forsee many of the estate agents that have emmerged over recent boom years struggling to survive over the coming months, principally because of this legislation.

Finally, as a prospective buyer I see no benefit whatsoever, in the packs, once again teh Government seeks to impose its will on buyers who are capable of choosing what investigations they wish to undertake before purchasing.

Steven Nock, Lichfield, England

What utter nonsense and misrepresentation of what actual home buying problems are at real buyers level.

What most people need is an end to gazumping and the assurance that once an offer has been accepted that you have now got a house, without someone coming along with more money and snatching the dream away.

All that is required to speed things up is the offer, acceptance and money down being made a contract. Up front.
Yes, you can have conditions, or clauses/subjects, like subject to financing or satisfactory survey...But put dates on those clauses and the sale then sales through.
IThis process works in the U.S. & Canada., where house sales take little time to complete.

Government interference just b...... things up and creates more paperwork, cost, agencies and complications....Butt out Central Government and speak to actual buyers,sellers and realtors.

Patricia van der Veer, Wallasey, near Liverpool, U.K.

HIPS are ill conceived and the regulations very poorly drafted. This government is forcing this policy through with unseemly haste with little care for the impact it will have on the property market. Worse the HIPS propaganda published by the government does not fully explain the costs, delays and procedures to the consumer. If it did then there would be a public outcry.

Caroline Hume, Hitchin, UK

As usual the government has made a right mess of something which could have been so good. Energy certificates I think are a good idea as it allows the buyer to see the potential environmental cost of a house, I am not sure how far it will go however towards reducing energy use. Listed buildings for example are limited to what can be done and many original features such as stained glass in windows are often seen as a selling point and personally the secondary glazing options that I have seen in properties look awful. The main issue I feel that the government has messed up on are things like local searches which have a short expirey period. It would seem to be a complete waste of money on the part of the seller to have these done if the buyer then has to repeat the process. The same goes for building surveys, if a house has been on the market for six months would you trust it to still be accurate? EPC's good, rest bad.

Kevin Alexander, London,

HIPS will do absolutely noting whatsoever to help either the buying or selling process. The government is driving them because the core component of the HIP is the Energy Certificate which they need to database for every dwelling in the UK. The government have found a way of doing it free and gratis using the HIP as the vehicle. If you replace the words “home information pack” with “tax by the back door” you will see why they will pursue this bad piece of legislation relentlessly. This is no greenery but robbery!

Mark Savill, novahomes, Chard Novahomes, UK

I think that this is another in a long line of 'consultatiions' that pay lip service to the industry involved, and are progressed regardless of opposition.

Lorraine Jones, Bristol,

One issue that the press does not seem to have cottoned on to is the fact that the Governmnet has refused to publish the Report on the outcome of the trial which was conduted on HIPS. The only conclusion one can come to is that it proves HIPS does not speed up the process of buying and selling which is what the whole idea behind HIPS is. I would urge the press to bring this to thre fore

Simon Harris, Hertford, England

As with the nonsensical identity card proposals the Conservative opposition should issue a firm commitment to repeal the HIP legislation upon their re-election.

M.Laurance, Biddenden, Kent