Tories to axe house packs
THE TORIES have pledged to scrap home information packs (HIPS) within weeks, if they are elected.
Shadow housing minister Grant Shapps said yesterday it would be his first move, as the packs are stalling housing market recovery.
Estate agents say sellers are put off by the £300 to £400 cost. And with the current shortage of housing stock, they say sellers should not be discouraged from putting their homes on the market.
“The packs are bureaucratic and a problem for both sellers and buyers. Also the packs don’t reveal details such as whether the neighbourhood is noisy or whether the owners have tried and failed to get planning permission.” said a Tory spokesman
Shapps also plans to raise the stamp duty threshold to £250,000 to help first-time buyers and wants to devolve planning decisions to local councils to speed up the process.