PROPERTY experts in South Lakeland have blasted the Government after the controversial introduction of Home Information Packs was delayed just days before it was due to come into force.

Estate agents and pack providers described the last-minute U-turn over the biggest proposed change to property selling in living memory as "shambolic" and "farcical".

Hardest-hit are Caton-based pack providers Estate Graphics and the Property Search Group, which have been gearing up for the arrival of HIPs for 18 months.

The Government U-turn was made after the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors launched a judicial review of Energy Performance Certificates - which were a key element of the pack.

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