AHIPP extend roll out of Home Information Packs

Home Information Packs (HIPs) will soon be a reality for an additional 12 locations across the UK:

A section of the M4 corridor (to include Reading, Basingstoke and Wokingham); Manchester; Cardiff; Coventry; Hereford and the Marches; Bristol; Leicester; Chelmsford; Nottingham; Plymouth; Liverpool and the Thames corridor (from North Kent and London to South Essex).

Following the successful roll out of HIPs in an initial six locations across the UK in the final quarter of 2006, the Association of Home Information Pack Providers (AHIPP) have announced an additional 12 locations where consumers will soon be able to experience the benefits of packs, ahead of their mandatory introduction in June.

The roll out, which will commence on the 1st February, with a launch event at The House of Lords, followed by a series of local events in each of the 12 locations, will continue up until June when the packs become mandatory and will be supported by a number of local businesses in the 12 areas.

Paul Broadhead, Deputy Director General for the Association of Home Information Pack Providers (AHIPP), who is launching the roll out said: “The event today will officially launch packs in the next 12 locations and invites pack providers, estate agents, home inspectors and other key industry figures to congregate and hear an update on our current roll out activities and future plans. We’re delighted that Lord Redesdale will be jointly hosting the event to publicise his Private Members’ Bill on Energy Efficiency, which will look to ensure that Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) play a vital role in the battle against climate change and are a prominent feature of the HIP.

“This extended roll out will allow a phased implementation of packs, and ensure that industry is fully prepared and committed to deliver the full benefits to home buyers and sellers when the packs become mandatory on 1st June. Take up of packs in the first six areas has been hugely successful, with over 1,000 packs commissioned in the first three months alone. By launching the packs in an additional 12 locations, we will avoid a ‘big bang implementation’.

“It is essential that industry engages now, to enable a smooth implementation and to increase both their awareness and their understanding of the packs and what they will achieve. Agents will not have a choice, from the 1st June they will not be able to market a property without a HIP and by encouraging early adoption now, it is our ambition that agents will be better informed to assist their customers come the June deadline.

“The roll out has proved successful in encouraging other industry bodies to take action, with the Law Society announcing its own roll out in the same first six locations and the NAEA announcing a series of HIPs courses for its members - and this is something we want to see continue.”