According to a survey by Hyder Consulting Environment and Home Survey, quoted here in the Times, almost half of buyers said they plan to use the HIPs EPC to demand a discount. HIPs, they say, will force prices down. Meanwhile (and thanks to a keen-eyed Rat and Mouse reader for this) the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors argues that HIPs will force prices up - especially for the first-time buyer, who will suffer an even worse tightening of supply when fewer people are prepared to pay to speculatively market a smaller property. Say "hi" to the HIP... the only red tape to push prices up and down simultaneously.

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