Lies, damn lies and uninformed HIP critics

Recent lies surrounding Home Information Packs (HIPS) are untrue, indefensible and a feeble attempt to misinform the public for private gain, says Paul Broadhead, Deputy Director General AHIPP.

Exposing the latest anti-HIPs activity as political point scoring, Broadhead warns recent revelations are causing unnecessary panic across the housing market.

Broadhead separates fact from fiction:

LIE 1: THERE WILL NOT BE ENOUGH DOMESTIC ENERGY ASSESSORS

FACT: It is estimated that the market will need 2,500 qualified Domestic Energy Assessors (DEAs) by June.
FACT: 1,000 DEAs are already trained and a further 2,200 will have completed their training and qualified by June.

“The suggestion that there will not be enough energy assessors on the 1st June is totally untrue, and totally unsubstantiated. The current training courses for DEAs are bulging at the seams and a second tranche of trained energy assessors are expected to come though post June 1st - under no circumstances will we not have enough energy assessors.”

Stephen Callaghan, Director of energy-assessors.com, adds: “We alone will have at least 870 fully trained assessors by June, enough to service one third of the entire market.”

LIE 2: HIPs WILL COST £1,000 EACH AND ESTATE AGENTS WILL RIP OFF CUSTOMERS

FACT: HIPs will cost on average £300 - £500 for the mandatory pack and all estate agents dealing with HIPs will have to become a member of the statutory redress scheme.

“The suggestion, by some misinformed individuals, that HIPs will cost £1,000 is a total fabrication. HIPs will cost in the region of £300 - £500 and this will include the cost of an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). The consumer will not be faced with paying this upfront. A number of options will be available to consumers including interest free deferred payments and the option to incorporate into the overall Estate Agency Services. Nobody will be forced down any single payment route.

“Market forces will keep the cost of packs competitive with multiple suppliers competing for business. Consumers and Estate Agents should only purchase HIPs from HIP Code compliant suppliers to ensure the maximum consumer protection. In addition, any agent that has any involvement with a HIP must become a member of the statutory redress scheme which will offer considerable additional protection for the consumer.”

LIE 3: HIPS WILL IMPACT NEGATIVELY ON THE HOUSING MARKET

FACT: HIPs will reduce the number of transactions that fall through, saving consumers time and money.

“A number of agents have recently launched campaigns, urging consumers to put their home on the market early, in an attempt to avoid the need for a HIP. If consumers feel the need to rush to market their homes in an attempt to avoid the HIP this may cause a slight distortion in the market during the early summer months. However, July and August are traditionally quieter periods and over the year as a whole this will have no impact at all.”

Broadhead concludes: “The recent suggestions surrounding energy assessor numbers and the predicted market impact of HIPs are ridiculous. They are nothing more than an irresponsible attempt by those who oppose HIPs to scare consumers and impair this much needed reform of the house buying and selling process for their own or political gain.”