Everything about Home Information Packs (HIPS)

Home information packs will put families looking to sell their houses at risk from "cowboy" inspectors, it has been claimed. The planned change to the way houses are bought and sold will provide "a breeding ground" for unqualified surveyors, critics said. Inspectors will compile £350 "home condition reports" for the packs.

But while chartered surveyors need at least five years' training before they can work professionally surveying homes, the 7,000 home inspectors will be trained for a maximum of 18 months on a part-time basis.