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Shortage of Hip energy assessors predicted

Tuesday, 11 September 2007 12:00 AM

A shortage of home information pack (Hip) energy assessors is set to be exposed as the scheme is expanded to include three-bedroom properties.

Hips were made compulsory for properties with three-bedrooms or more on September 10th, but there could be problems with their implementation according to RightMove.co.uk.

"This will be a tough test for Hip providers and estate agent's processes, systems and resources as it represents a massive ramp up in the number of properties needing a Hip," commented Miles Shipside, commercial director at RightMove.

"It will expose any shortage of energy assessors too, especially if there are geographic holes in coverage compared to where properties are being marketed."

RightMove calculate some 80,000 new three-bedroom properties are added to the market each month, in addition to the 35,000 four-bedroom homes requiring a Hip already on sale.

Up to 66 per cent of properties now require a Hip.

However, large regional variations have been recorded in the number of properties inspectors are expected.

In East Anglia each inspector will assess an average of 14 properties per month but in the south-east and greater London this rises to 48 and 44 respectively.

"While the coverage looks adequate on paper, in practice it will not work efficiently at the outset. Some energy assessors will work exclusively for one estate agent so will not be available to cover another agent's properties," continued Mr Shipside.

"There are also bound to be geographic 'black holes' where there are assessors nearby."

However, the department for Communities and Local Government (CLG) states there are now a sufficient number of energy inspectors and the benefits are already being felt.

Commenting on the roll-out of the scheme to include more houses communities minister Iain Wright said: "Families buying four-bedroom homes are getting clear information which shows how they can save hundreds of pounds on their fuel bills and cut carbon emissions too.

"It is important that this should be available for people buying three bedroom homes as well."

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