The introduction of HIPs was trumpeted  as a way to stop the number of failed home sale transactions by providing all the information up front to potential purchasers.

The current version of HIPs from August does no such thing, the only thing HIPs offers home buyers and sellers is confusion, and that feeling that they are being asked to purchase something, that is not fit for purpose.

The packs are supposed to include the correct local searches, however most hips companies are not. Which makes them useless.

See this quote; (thepartnership.com hip provider).

 Almost all HIP providers, are using personal local authority searches, which many lenders will not accept. There WILL be a backlash against these cheap products, and companies such as mine will continue to promote authorised local authority searches.

Hips was also promoted to help first time buyers get on the housing ladder, however as we have seen HIPs does no such thing.

HIPs is so diluted all you get is a few bits of paper which may or may not be correct, and a rather dubios energy report, and thats it. I think its time for HIPs to go away, you decide…

First time buyers still have to obtain and pay for, a survey from the Bank or Building society costing on average in excess of £300, then if the local searches in the pack are incorrect get new ones, cost another £100 to £200 or £300 in the case of Barnett in London.

So potential cost to first time buyers or in fact any buyer of your home with HIPs is around £500.