ACCORDING to a survey by HIP Payment Services, 76 per cent of vendors do not want to pay for a Home Information Pack (HIP) upfront.

Instead, consumers are calling for their estate agent to offer a deferred payment option, allowing them to pay for the pack after their sale has gone through.

With most consumers now aware of HIPs and their role, agents are having to modify their initial offerings to meet consumer demands.

Despite the average HIP costing about £350, a seemingly small price when compared with the overall cost incurred selling a home, the majority of consumers have indicated they are not comfortable with being asked to pay this sum upfront.

Jeff Smith, chief executive, HIP Payment Services, said: "Traditionally, the majority of costs incurred with selling a home, such as estate agent and solicitors fees, are charged at the end of the process, typically when the vendor’s sale has gone through.

"However, the introduction of HIPs has added a new dimension to the house buying and selling process."

Since HIPs went live in August, vendors had been reluctant to pay for the pack upfront. As a result, a deferred payment scheme, providing a buy-now, pay-later option for home sellers, had been introduced.

"The scheme can be offered by all pack providers and agents and allows consumers to opt to pay for their HIP after their sale has gone through, or after a 10-month period, whichever comes first, for a small, additional fee, removing the need for any upfront payment," Mr Smith added.