Home Information Pack (Hip) ‘could be used by Criminals’

Criminals could use the proposed home information packs (hips), formally known as the home sellers pack, to target vulnerable addresses, the law society warned today.

A Law Society spokesman said: “Anyone will be able to insist on receiving a copy of the pack regardless of whether they are serious buyers or not” he also added: “this could be open to serious abuse by burglars, stalkers and snoopers”.

Vendors face breaking the law if they give misleading, inaccurate or incomplete information in their home information pack (hip).

Law Society chief executive Janet Paraskeva said: “currently people viewing properties make an offer and their identities are verified by solicitors so sellers can be reasonably confident they are dealing with genuine buyers……Sensitive information about the property is only available to a genuine buyer through solicitors.”

“Anyone could walk into an estate agents and discover information about burglar alarms, defective doors, bad windows and the construction of properties. This could be extremely dangerous and could put people at risk.”

The Law Society urges the government to make the introduction of the home information packs (hips) voluntary.

Ms Paraskeva said: “If Home Information packs (Hips) are appealing to consumers, market demand will see them adopted.”