People looking to make a home sale and all those involved in the property industry, including residential conveyancing solicitors, are expecting the market to be boosted by the Coalition Government's announcement of an immediate suspension of Home Information Packs (HIP) with effect from May 21, 2010.
Owners of any homes put on the market on or after that day do not need to provide a HIP for the potential purchaser but an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is a European Union requirement so must still be commissioned if one is not available.
In their pre-election manifestos, both the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats said they wished to abolish HIP and the necessary legislation to do so would be put before Parliament.
Housing minister Grant Shapps said, "Home sellers will get immediate relief. It means they can put their house on the market without having to shell out thousands of pounds."
Television presenter Kirsty Allsopp, who has campaigned for the abolition of HIPs, said she was thrilled because it was important to help people sell their homes quicker without the additional expense.
Local searches will still be carried out by residential conveyancing solicitors to check for any potential problems before a house sale.
