From the 14^th December 2007 all residential properties being put up for sale will require a HIP. This latest announcement has come despite huge opposition from the industry and warnings that HIPs are seriously damaging the market.

A small ray of light today is the decision to extend first day marketing until 1 June 2008. This will allow some breathing space for the market, but is in no way a solution to any part of the HIPs fiasco.