Conveyancers 'will stick with contents of Hips'

Homeowners fearing that the latest Home information pack (Hip) controversy could have a direct impact on their finances have had those worries allayed by the Association of Home Information Pack Providers (AHIPP).

Last month's Hips hot topic was to do with some lenders saying that they wouldn't rely on the local authority searches included within the packs because of doubts over sellers' objectivity.

Those complaints were later clarified by the likes of HSBC, which said it would accept such searches if they were accepted by buyers' solicitors.

Now an AHIPP poll has found that all solicitors will indeed accept the packs - as long as they're put together by a provider who's sticking to the so-called 'Hip Code'

"The Hip Code not only protects home buyers and sellers, but also estate agents, conveyancers and mortgage lenders. Consumers should therefore be aware that the conveyancer handling their purchase can rely on the contents of a Hip Code compliant pack," said AHIPP chief Mike Ockenden.

All very muddied but now seemingly resolved...until you hear about the Hip provider that has suggested that local councils are preventing searches from being completed. As ever, the controversy looks set to run and run.