Twitter Facebook RSS FEEDS

Hips delayed due to market volatility

Tuesday, 16 October 2007 12:00 AM

Junior housing minister Ian Wright today suggested to an audience of experts why home information packs (Hips) were not being extended to cover the whole UK housing market.

Speaking at the Association of Home Information Pack Providers (AHIPP) annual conference, Mr Wright explained market volatility was partially behind the decision not to extend the scheme at present.

Hips were introduced for four-bedroom properties on August 1st this year and extended to include three-bedroom properties on September 10th. They presently cover over 60 per cent of the market.

However, the government has not previously made clear its plans for the role-out of the scheme to cover the remaining stock.

The comments have sparked incredulous responses from industry insiders.

"LMS welcomes today's acknowledgement the only reason the government are not rolling out Hips for all properties is because of volatility in the financial and property markets," said Dominic Toller, director of marketing & new business at conveyancing experts LMS.

"We have known for a long time that the industry is absolutely ready for the full roll out of Hips across all properties and we are pleased to hear that they are monitoring closely the effect Hips have had so far.

"This news will also be welcomed by the many home inspectors and domestic energy assessors who are ready to support the final phase of implementation.

"With over 7,000 trained and accredited, we now look forward to this critical next stage where, at last, the real benefit of Hips will be felt and real reform can begin."

However, a spokesperson for the department for Communities and Local Government said the criteria for the phased implementation of Hips were set back in May and still stood.

The phased implementation would be based on the number of energy assessors and the effect on the market.

No date has been set for the introduction of Hips to two and one-bedroom houses and no date has been set to set a date.

    Tags:

Related stories

Home information packs will come into force on August 1st 2007 for four-bed homes

Hips deadline delayed

Hips deadline delayed

 A third of postcodes saw prices fall compared to a quarter in September.

Demand for homes down due to economy woes

Rising supply and falling demand point to acceleration in house price falls, says Hometrack.
Hips roll-out to be delayed further

Hips roll-out to be delayed further

Hips roll-out to be delayed further

 Village in Spanish mountains

Interest in P.I.G.S. property down due to debt crisis

Concern about national debt levels has lead to a decline in interest in Portuguese, Italian, Greek and Spanish property.
The most immediate threat to the market is the Eurozone crisis. Image:Thinkstock

Spring bounce falls flat in housing market

Asking prices failed to rise in May for the first time in 11 years as demand and supply both fall, says Rightmove.

 Londoners are the most confident about house prices. Image:Thinkstock

Confidence in housing market bounces back

Four out of ten people think house prices will rise, but north-south divide remains say Halifax.
The biggest price falls came in the West Midlands and Wales. Image:Thinkstock

April’s housing market full of economic woe

More surveyors reporting price falls as concern about recession dents confidence, says RICS.

 Firstrung claims Hips will not hit housing market as heavily as expected

Budget set to hit housing market harder than Hips?

The impact of Hips being abolished will not be as great as that of the Budget announcements, it has been claimed.
London may not be as much of a safe haven as previously thought. Image:Thinkstock

London housing market feels the chill in March

Land Registry says prices in capital fell 1.8 per cent with only Wales seeing a bigger decline.

The Home Information Pack is being blamed for "stunting market recovery"

HIPS 'stunting market recovery'

HIPS 'stunting market recovery'

Search property

Headlines

Directory

Alaris

Alaris Logo
Alaris specialise in quality Bathrooms and Kitchens along with many other unique products for your home. The range of kitchens, kitchen worktops and bathrooms is extensive and the highest quality so you are sure to find what you want. New bathroom furniture, bathroom suites, taps, showers and cabinets are added regularly.

Bathrooms365

Bathrooms365 Logo
Bathroom365 supply all areas of your new bathroom - leading-edge designed bathroom suites, stylish bathroom taps and showers, all styles and forms of shower enclosures and a vast collection of bathroom furniture.

Fitmykitchen

Fitmykitchen Logo
Fitmykitchen are specialist suppliers of kitchen appliances, sink taps, waste bins and furniture. So whatever you want from kitchen sink taps to waste bins look no further than fitmykitchen, UK, the specialist suppliers of kitchen appliances, stainless steel sink taps, waste bins and kitchen furniture.

MyStampDuty

MyStampDuty Logo
We help people buying property all over the UK to minimise Stamp Duty Land Tax on residential and commercial property. If you are looking at purchasing a new home or business premises over £500,000, contact us today by completing the form on the right

Oak Furniture Land

Oak Furniture Land Logo
For hardwood furniture, including Solid Oak, Mango, Mahogany, Sheesham, Acacia, Ash and Birch, look no further than Oak Furniture Land.

Rated People

Rated People Logo
Whatever type of home improvement or garden remodelling project you have, Rated People can help you to identify the right tradesmen for the job in a way that is quick, easy, convenient and, as it is based on real-life recommendations, trustworthy.

Residential Land

Residential Land Logo
If you are looking for short or long term rentals in Central London, Residential Land have a portfolio of over 1200 flats and houses in the best postcodes across the Capital.

Simply Bedrooms

Simply Bedrooms Logo
Simply Bedrooms, a part of Sleepwell Bedrooms Ltd, supplying quality beds, wardrobes, sliding door wardrobes and bedroom furniture at low prices and great service, London and Home Counties Specialists.

Door Handles UK

Door Handles UK Logo
Door Handles UK is the UK's largest online range of Door Handle accessories, Door Hinges, Locks and Latches and so much more and all at genuine internet prices. We have a wide range of Chrome, Brass and Glass Crystal Mortice door knobs in both traditional and contemporary designs, whatever your taste and budget you will find a design to suit.

Woodlands Furniture

Woodlands Furniture Logo
We are an established family business situated in rural Herefordshire specialising in beautiful handcrafted classic reproduction furniture. Our comprehensive ranges are readily available from stock.

WowBBQ

WowBBQ Logo
Welcome to the World of Weber. We are the largest independent online Weber BBQ retailer in the United Kingdom. WOWbbq.co.uk is a Weber Partner Store and can give you the best advice for all your Weber BBQ needs.

Join our directory aboutproperty.co.uk

Twitter

Join the conversation at #aboutproperty

Directory articles

FAQs about commercial stamp duty

If you want to relocate to larger premises, you need to know about commercial stamp duty. Different rates apply than with residential property, however, like residential buyers, you could potentially benefit from stamp duty mitigation.

Save space with a small bathroom suite

Most people dream of having spacious bathrooms with a freestanding tub and a separate shower cubicle where you can relax in pure luxury. However, the reality is that bathrooms are rarely as big as we'd like them to be. Here are some tips on how to make the most of a small bathroom.

The benefits of choosing painted kitchens for your home

If you want to give your home a makeover, consider painted kitchens. While these look great in traditional properties, such as cottages and farmhouses, they also work well with contemporary spaces due to the large selection of styles and colours.