The Government’s decision to suspend controversial Home Improvement Packs (HIPS) has been welcomed by Kent estate agents.

Critics had already labelled HIPS as an expensive flop because they forced sellers to shell out hundreds of pounds in advance. They acted as a major deterrent to sellers who wanted to put their homes on the market speculatively.

It now seems likely that HIPS will soon be scrapped entirely, saving sellers around £870m over the next decade.

Alastair Hancock, director of Sevenoaks-based Jackson Stops and Staff, said: "This is swift action to help buyers and sellers in the housing market. It will encourage potential sellers who have been holding back from putting their home up for sale to come to the market with much less cost and hassle

" Prior to the HIPS requirements, clients who wanted to buy a specific property would often swiftly bring their own homes to the market speculatively. After HIPs was introduced this type of seller was put off by the extra layer of regulation, cost and time in just getting their home up for sale. We now anticipate a much more fluid process where buyers and sellers are encouraged back into the market."

Alex Davies, from Ashford-based Hobbs Parker Country Houses, described it as "a welcome decision that was likely to boost liquidity in the housing market."

He said: "In the Ashford area, the step is likely to be greeted with applause as HIPs have never achieved a ringing endorsement from sellers and have done little to excite buyers. Thankfully, the new government has been decisive on this issue and it will hopefully encourage sellers wishing to offer their properties for sale to do so without hesitation."

But Mr Davies warned sellers not to be complacent. " Buyers still need to seek reassurance in the home buying process and as many are now accustomed to the availability of pre-contract documentation. Sellers should still consider instructing their legal advisor early on in the marketing process to assemble the paperwork so that the transaction can get off the starting blocks quickly once a buyer has been found. Whilst controversial, there is no disputing that buyers’ solicitors could commence some of the conveyance work when a HIP was available. A lack of information slows it down. Well-informed buyers are more confident about the purchase process and break fewer deals."

One of the biggest criticisms of HIPS was that there was no requirement for a condition report, showing whether or not the property was structurally sound..

Yet many documents that formed a HIP will still have to be produced; only now buyers will foot most of the bill. Sellers will only have to produce a simple energy performance certificate.