Owners plan to give HIPs the slip

The new research shows people will look to exploit a HIP loophole, with 82% saying they would use the term study as a codeword for bedroom. “In order to avoid shelling out for a HIP, 4.5m homeowners with four bedrooms said they would be prepared to market their home as three bedroom home - and describe their fourth bedroom as something else,” Abbey says. HIPs are now mandatory for selling a four bedrooms or more home, while three bedroom homes will need a pack from 10 September. Aside from study, 21% say they would use the term playroom, 15% games room and even 4% using library. But Ab...