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Govt announces 5,000 subsidised Hips

Tuesday, 12 June 2007 12:00 AM

The government will be subsidising 5,000 home information packs (Hips) ahead of the compulsory deadline for the new packs on August 1st 2007.

The Communities and Local Government (CLG) department announced yesterday that it would be putting £100 plus VAT towards energy performance certificates (EPCs) for Hips commissioned before August 1st 2007.

Hips will come into force for homes with four or more bedrooms from August 1st, with more properties requiring the packs "once sufficient energy inspectors are in place nationally and regionally to meet demand, taking into account market conditions and evidence from implementation".

The CLG explained: "We expect to need 2,000 accredited assessors and inspectors to introduce EPCs and Hips to three-bedroom homes, with a total of 3,000 needed to cover the whole market. We believe these are prudent figures that will ensure the smoothest possible implementation."

There are currently 1,000 accredited energy assessors according to the CLG and around 4,700 have passed training exams.

"Energy Performance Certificates are projected to save nearly a million tonnes of carbon per year by 2020, and help families to cut hundreds of pounds from their fuel bills," commented Yvette Cooper, housing minister.

She added: "Homebuyers will for the first time get energy ratings on homes - similar to consumer friendly fridge ratings - as well as cost-effective measures that will help reduce the 27 per cent of emissions that come from homes."

The announcement follows a pledge by major Hip providers to guarantee the packs to consumers within seven days of a commission or offer a £100 refund if it is not completed by this time.

Hips continue to draw criticism from major players in the property market.

Peter Bolton King, the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) chief executive, said the three-phase introduction of packs would make the "already chaotic situation" worse and "cause complete confusion".

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