Complaints about Home Information Packs (HIPs)

Since 14 December 2007, Home Information Packs (HIPs) have been rolled out for properties of all sizes.

More detailed information about HIP contents and their introduction can be found at www.homeinformationpacks.gov.uk.

An integral part of the new arrangements is the facility for buyers and sellers to have access to an independent complaints handling and redress scheme where a dispute arises over the HIP. 

On 18 July, the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR, formerly DTI) announced that the Surveyors Ombudsman Service has been approved  under the Housing Act as a redress scheme  for the purposes of HIP-related complaints against surveyors and estate agents which are members of the scheme.

If you have a general enquiry about a Home Information Pack you should contact Consumer Direct on 08454 040506

The following is information available on the Home Information Pack website:

• HIPs Toolkit - a 'starter pack' of marketing materials for estate agents and others who may wish to promote HIPs. The Toolkit contains examples of leaflets and marketing materials along with a CD of files which can be used to produce your own HIP related promotional material.
• Fast Facts Guide - for buyers and sellers
• Sample HIP