Everything about Home Information Packs (HIPS)

Housing minister Yvette Cooper tells Jill Insley why information packs are a boon for first timers.

First-time buyers will benefit most from the introduction of compulsory home information packs next year because they have the least experience of the home-buying process, according to the housing minister, Yvette Cooper.

The packs, known as Hips, are designed to speed up the home-buying process by requiring sellers to collate information such as the title documents, a home condition report and local authority searches for potential buyers.