Hips rollout continues

Posted: 20 Aug 2007 10:59:27 GMT

Properties with three or more bedrooms will need a Home information pack (Hip) if they are to be put on the market from September 10th onwards.

Properties with three or more bedrooms will need a Home information pack (Hip) if they are to be put on the market from September 10th onwards.

The Department for Communities and Local Government has revealed that the rollout of Hips is set to continue and has defended their implementation.

Properties with four or more bedrooms are already subject to Hips and the government plans to eventually make the packs a mandatory part of all home sales.

Communities minister Baroness Andrews said that Hips will improve home selling for consumers.

"We are now ready to start rolling out Hips and EPCs [Energy Performance Certificates] to the next part of the market as promised and improve a home buying and selling process which currently is not working for consumers or the environment," she commented.

The Association of Home Information Pack Providers has welcomed the news but some industry figures are not pleased.

"There still remains a shortfall of qualified energy assessors taking the exams," said Peter Bolton King from the National Association of Estate Agents.

"We did anticipate the second phase to be in the autumn, but with this announcement it now appears that the government may try and include all dwellings by the end of the year. This will continue to place uncertainty into an already delicate residential market."

Home-sellers will be required to pay for the packs which are likely to cost around £400 to £500.

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