Property practitioners should be wary of speculation about the future of the home information packs (HIPs) and concentrate on maintaining the momentum created in the run-up to the launch, Law Society Deputy Vice-President advised this week.


In the light of the government's two-month postponement of HIPs' launch, Paul Marsh said it was difficult to know what was going to happen, as the government itself did not know. He cautioned against solicitors relying on press comments made by parties with a vested interest in 'talking up' the future of the controversial packs.



Meanwhile, a survey has indicated that solicitors were well prepared for the June launch despite their lack of enthusiasm for HIPs.



A poll of 48 south-coast solicitors and 32 estate agents conducted by Bournemouth and District Law Society revealed that 96% felt they were in a good position to cope with the new packs, and 43% had spent considerable time preparing for the launch.



Despite the high levels of preparation, only 3% said HIPs would be good for the customer and 60% felt they were unnecessary and would add to the cost of selling without benefiting the public.



The society's president, Peter Watson-Lee, said: 'Solicitors have done a lot of work and spent money preparing for HIPs. They are just waiting to see what will happen. We hope the government will make a clear announcement soon.'



Catherine Baksi