Hips does absolutely NOTHING that an ordinary survey tells us, does this crass goverment really think that we can't see for ourselves whether a house has low energy light bulbs?

brian rutherford, cambridge,

Every house seller should boycott the HIP & pay the fine - it's cheaper!

Tom, Birmingham,

HIPS, or home seller's packs, were in the Labour manifesto at the 2005 election so we can't say we didn't know or weren't warned. But then the promise of a referendum on the EU constitution was in the Labour manifesto for the 2005 election too, and look what's happened to that.

Martin Conboy, Twickenham, Middlesex

HIPS will cost us as sellers, as we cant provide our own pack. How can anyone tell if there is underfloor insulation ? - I know there is in my house, but how will anoyne else, so either I will loose because the 'surveyor' doenst believe me, and the buyer gaisn because the insulation is there OR they drill sample holes through all the walls, floors etc to test that - yes, the floor is insulated, and the walls etc.
DAFT idea - especially when most of it is repeated by the buyers

Sara Keating, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire

Energy efficiency is just common sense and common knowledge. I do not need someone to tell me that a very non cost effective new boiler would cut the cost of heat generation. Loss of generated heat through walls, windows, doors and roof is already as little as can be achieved. That leaves the floor. There is a lot more to doing that properly than putting a few pieces of combustible polystyrene in, which is that a ten minute visit is ever going to be able to suggest. The average person already knows just how their own home stands in relation to these issues, and generally ,if it can be done it already is done. In any case where is the information going to come from? Why by asking the seller of course. So how come this information suddenly acquires an enhaced status? Others have suggested more devious reasons for all this interference. They are correct. If it makes no sense there has to be another explanation.

D.L. Stephens, York, England

Went to a meeting of a large multi county firm of solicitors yesterday. During discussion many estate agents were mentioned as having fully prepared for HIPS and some still with their heads stuck in the sand - the latter group indicative of the chaos that would be caused by the selling and buying process (by their own default). It brings into question the vendors interest in trying to make a sale. If this latter group of Est Agents are so 'cowboy' in outlook then vendors should keep well away from them. Question - what is their commitment to make the sale! It was discussed from the chair of the meeting that the selling process could reduce sale waiting times by 3 to 4 weeks on current standards..

Bradley, St Albans., Herts.