One more energy assessor for HIPs on three bedroom properties

Latest figures have revealed that just one more energy assessor is needed for the Government to meet its target to make Home Information Packs (HIPs) a reality for properties with three bedrooms or more.

According to the most recent figures, divulged today, there are now 1,321 fully accredited Domestic Energy Assessors (DEAs) and 678 fully registered Home Inspectors, ready to produce Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) required in HIPs, taking the current total up to 1,999.

This figure is just one short of the 2,000 assessors that the Government has specified will be required to ensure the successful implementation of HIPs for three as well as four bedroom plus homes. As a result, the Association of Home Information Pack Providers (AHIPP) is now calling on the Housing Minister Yvette Cooper to lay down the commencement order, which is necessary to extend mandatory HIPs to three bedroom homes, before parliament goes into recess.

Mike Ockenden, Director General, AHIPP said: “Industry has remained committed to the successful implementation of HIPs and has clearly been successful in working towards the targets set out by Government. We are now just one energy assessor away from meeting the 2,000 target that will allow HIPs to be extended to three bedroom homes.

“I would urge the Minister to lay down the commencement order next week to allow HIPs for three bedroom properties to go live on 1st September – exactly one month after HIPs will be mandatory for homes with four bedrooms or more. At the present rate of progress the remainder of the housing stock should follow soon after.”

In a statement on 22nd May, the Government announced new plans for a phased implementation of Home Information Packs (HIPs), commencing with mandatory HIPs for homes with four bedrooms or more from the 1st August. The introduction of HIPs for homes with three bedrooms or more will then follow, and then finally, HIPs will be extended to the remainder of the housing stock. In addition, Government specified that 2,000 energy assessors would be required before HIPs could become mandatory for homes with three bedrooms or more.