HIPS Latest

On the 22nd May 2007 the Home Information Pack scheme that should have been implemented on the 1st of June was temporarily delayed until the 1st of August 2007.

Economic Analysis conducted for the Government suggests that any impact on the volume of properties marketed for sale as consumers adjust to the new duties is likely to be both small and transitory compared with normal fluctuations in listings. This analysis is being updated to reflect changes to the implementation timetable announced on 22^nd May 2007 and will be published in due course.

In the medium term, as home information packs improve transparency and increase competition, making home buying and selling a quicker, more certain and less daunting experience, the operation of the market should improve.

The revised HIP regulations coming into force on the 1^st August 2007 were laid down on 11^th June 2007 and are summarised below.

• Home Information Packs (HIP) including Energy Performance Certificates  (EPC) are required from August 1^st 2007 for four bedroom or larger properties brought onto the market on or after August 1^st 2007.
• Home Information Packs including Energy Performance Certificates for three bedroom and smaller properties will be phased in at some point after August 1^st 2007. The government want to make sure there are enough qualified Energy Assessors to meet the demand for Energy Performance Certificates before making packs mandatory on these properties. We will publish the phased dates on this site as soon as they are published.
• All properties on the market before August 1^st 2007 will not need to produce a Home Information Pack. Eventually, a date will be set when all properties that remain on the market will be required to have a HIP. The government will set this date in light of market conditions as HIPs bed in.
• Until the end of 2007, properties that need a HIP can be marketed before an EPC is obtained and the HIP is ready. This freedom to market without a HIP is called the First Day Marketing principle. It does not remove the obligation to obtain one as soon as possible.
• A ‘fridge rating’ chart for energy efficiency and environmental impact in estate agents’ particulars will not be required until an EPC is obtained. This will only be until the end of 2007, when the ‘First Day Marketing’ period ends.
• The maximum age of an EPC when a property is put on the market is to be extended from 3 months to 12 months, pending the results of a summer consultation. EPCs go beyond providing simple ratings, by suggesting cost effective actions designed to improve the energy performance and carbon footprint (and rating) of a property. To ensure these are credible, up-to-date information is required on current technology and techniques, together with average energy costs.
•  As part of a phased roll out of HIPs, properties built to Part L 2006 will be introduced as a separate group in due course. There will therefore be no need for Interim Energy Assessments as full EPCs will be available from the date when HIPs are required for these properties.

Howards are committed to providing you with an easy and stress-free way of selling your property and will develop schemes to do this in line with the new government legislation. Please revisit this site for ongoing, up to date information on home information packs or feel free to contact our customer services team on 0800 023 7933.