AHIPP welcomes final rollout of HIPs

Housing Minister Yvette Cooper has announced that the phased implementation of Home Information Packs (HIPs) will be extended to one and two bedroom properties. The Commencement Order will mean that all properties of one and two bedroom homes will now require a HIP if they are put on the market on or after 14th December 2007.

The news has been strongly welcomed by the Association of Home Information Pack Providers (AHIPP), which has been calling on Government to extend the rollout of packs across the market, since the required number of energy assessors was achieved back in September.

AHIPP members have already successfully introduced HIPs for homes with three or more bedrooms and they have been urgently calling for HIPs to be extended across the rest of the housing stock.

Paul Broadhead, Deputy Director General, AHIPP said: “The final phase of the rollout will be gratefully received by our members who were beginning to feel the pressure following the Government’s recent delay. This vital step has now clearly reinforced Government’s commitment to the successful implementation of HIPs and we look forward to seeing the positive impact.

“The independent research by Europe Economics dispels suggestions by RICS and NAEA that HIPs are having a detrimental impact on the market place. Continued mis-information has contributed to the delay and has resulted in fewer energy efficiency measures being introduced by homeowners.

“The extension of transitional arrangements around first day marketing is a sensible approach whilst the industry allows the policy to be bedded in, although this is only a temporary measure. For HIPs to realise full benefit, the information has to be made available to potential buyers at the beginning of the process.

“HIPs are here to stay. By working together with the wider industry we can now build upon this foundation and really revolutionise the market for the benefit of the consumer and the industry. In addition, we can also start to significantly improve the energy efficiency of our homes.”