The Association of Home Information Pack Providers has announced the first stage of its regional roll out of the home information pack and the home condition report.

AHIPP, who continues to champion the value of Hips and the HCR for the consumer, is now ready to announce the six locations across the UK where it will commence its roll out on 6^th November 2006, ahead of the government mandatory introduction in June next year.

Although Hips will remain a mandatory requirement for home sales from next June, a recent government U-turn removed the HCR as a mandatory element of the Hip roll out, until further testing has been done.

Paul Broadhead, deputy director general of AHIPP said: "The government’s decision to make the HCR a voluntary part of the Hip was spineless and unnecessary and was a decision made purely for political reasons. It is now up to industry to pick up the pieces and deliver its benefits to the consumer."

"Many appear to have forgotten that the Hip was introduced to assist in providing a more efficient and effective home buying and selling process for the consumer and we are confident that despite the government’s recent floundering the roll out will be a success."

It will be the first of its kind with members of AHIPP encouraging buyers and sellers to sample the full packs, which will include an HCR compiled by a fully trained and qualified home inspector.

The roll out, designed to demonstrate the benefits of Hips and the HCR to buyers and sellers will include a robust and independent testing of the packs across the market.

Allowing consumers in the selected locations to sample Hips well ahead of the June 2007 deadline will enable AHIPP to identify and resolve any initial glitches before their mandatory introduction.

The six chosen locations are:

• Southampton
• Newcastle
• Northampton
• Bath
• Huddersfield
• Cambridge

Paul Broadhead said: "After detailed discussions with our members we have selected the first six locations which we believe offer a good mix of housing stock and will offer a fair representation in terms of both supply and demand. This is the first phase of our roll out with additional locations to be introduced at a later date."

"The government has clearly indicated that it very much supports Hips and values the HCR as a vital element of the pack. It plans to announce the funding available for the voluntary take up of packs in September and it is now vital that a date for this is set to assist our members in their planning and to ensure optimum use of HCRs across the six locations.

"An effective and fair roll out now relies on government meeting its previously stated commitments and enabling the licensing of qualified home inspectors, ahead of the mandatory date next June."