THE much-anticipated arrival of controversial Home Information Packs (HIPs) was delayed for two months, following an announcement in the Commons on Tuesday.

This week The Westmorland Gazette's property section aims to give readers a guide to what HIPs are and what it will mean for buyers and sellers when they start to be phased in, initially for the sale of four bedroom houses and larger properties, from August 1.

The new legislation means sellers will need to have a pack before they put their home on the market. The Government says providing a pack upfront will reduce the likelihood of any nasty surprises in the process that could delay the sale. The packs will offer buyers essential information about properties they are considering buying.

See The Gazette, our Lifestyle and Fish4Homes (link below) for more homes information.