Hips hit three bed properties

Friday, 17 August 2007 12:00 AM

Please note this is archive material. Home Information Packs - or HIPs - were suspended on 21 May, 2010.

Homeowners selling three bedroom houses will need a home information pack (Hip) from next month.

The government confirmed today that Hips and Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) will be rolled out to three bedroom houses from September 10th.

Hips have already been required for anyone marketing a four-bedroom house but a full scale rollout has been delayed because of a shortage of qualified energy assessors.

The government said today there will be sufficient numbers of trained assessors nationally and regionally to enable the next phase by next month, "having taken into account the operation of Hips in the market".

Communities minister Baroness Andrews said: "We are now ready to start rolling out Hips and EPCs to the next part of the market as promised, and improve a home buying and selling process which currently is not working for consumers or the environment."

The government claims Hips are transforming the process of buying and selling a house and producing benefits for both homeowners and the environment.

Baroness Andrews continued: "Hips and EPCs can help families to save hundreds of pounds off their fuel bills, and cut a million tonnes of carbon a year.

"They also have the potential to reduce the millions of pounds wasted by consumers when buying and selling a home, by increasing transparency and competition in a process that hasn't changed for a generation."

The EPC gives each home an energy rating from A to G. The government thinks this will encourage homeowners to take advantage of 'green grants' to improve their home's efficiency rating, saving up to £300 a year on bills.

Hips were introduced for the largest properties on August 1st after months of controversy and last-minute delays.

Despite an uncertain start, the government says Hips have been implemented smoothly into the home buying process, with many estate agents now incorporating Hips in their fees.

The Association of Hip Providers (AHIPP) welcomed today's announcement and called on the government to rollout the scheme to one and two bedroom properties as soon as possible.

Mike Ockenden, director general of AHIPP said: "Baroness Andrews has today provided much needed clarity for consumers, the HIP industry and energy assessors, reaffirming the government's commitment to the future of HIPs.

"We are delighted that the decision has been made so soon after the introduction of four bedroom homes on August 1st and with some 3,500 assessors now accredited and ready to go, I would expect this to be extended to all homes very soon."

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