The Government is facing a legal challenge over plans to introduce controversial Home Information Packs (HIPs), it was confirmed today.

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) said it had started judicial review proceedings over the “failure” by ministers to carry out proper consultation in relation to HIP legislation.

A judicial review is a process through which interested parties can challenge Government decisions or legislation through the courts.

Teresa Graham, chairman of RICS, said the industry body had been left with no other option if it was to “protect the public’s property interests”.

BACKGROUND

• Pack of troubles?

• Home Information Packs (HIPs) - Q&A

• Legal challenge to Home Information Packs

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• Home Information Packs: news, analysis and advice

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BACKGROUND

• Hips

• Comment: Hips humble pie is long overdue

• This is painful. We need a HIP replacement

• A glimmer of sense amid the Hips fiasco

BACKGROUND

• Pack of troubles?

• Home Information Packs (HIPs) - Q&A

• Legal challenge to Home Information Packs

Hips will make us greener, or so the Government says

• Hips have already won hearts and minds and will make us all greener, or so the Government says

BACKGROUND

• Home Information Packs come under fire

• Q&A: home information packs

• Will HIPs pack a real punch?

• Home Information Packs branded as 'ridiculous'

Related Links

• Q&A: home information packs

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The move will ratchet up further pressure on the Government ahead of a House of Commons debate tomorrow in which opposition MPs will attempt to derail plans for the introduction of the packs on June 1.

Under current proposals, sellers will be required to provide a pack which contains upfront information on the property and an energy performance certificate.

They are aimed at slashing the number of transactions which fall through late in the day while at the same time encouraging homeowners to cut their energy consumption.

But critics claim that the packs will deliver few benefits to consumers and will add to the cost of selling a home.

RICS also believes that the Government has not fully considered the wider impact that HIPs will have on the property market.

In response to the decision to seek a judicial review, Conservative housing spokesman Michael Gove said: “It is unprecedented for a professional body to challenge the Government in this way.

“It only emphasises how shambolic the Government handling of HIPs has been.”

He added: “It is still not too late for the Government to think again in the interests of stability in the housing market. I hope they will use tomorrow’s debate to acknowledge their mistakes.”

A spokesman for the Department for Communities and Local Government said:“This challenge is groundless, and we will proceed as planned with the packs being introduced on June 1.

“It is a shocking example of a vested interest wanting to water down important environmental information.”

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