Can HIPs save the planet?

Home information packs (HIPs) have caused much debate over the last year. They were first introduced for four-bedroom and larger houses in August 2007. This was extended to cover three-bedroom houses on 10 September 2007. At the time the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) was making confident statements that HIPs would be introduced to the whole residential market by the end of 2007.

The DCLG has a well-oiled PR machine and those interested in HIPs have been bombarded with e-mails from it for many months. A statement was issued in mid October confirming that HIPs would not be extended to all residential properties for the time being. It is interesting to note that this information was not circulated in the normal way via e-mail to those interested in HIPs. Perhaps this is a sign of the government deciding that it wants this scheme buried after all? Therefore, the uncertainty continues.
What has happened in practice? How has the market, and those