Government refusing to set final date for wider roll-out of Hips
The Government has no definite date for the wider roll-out of Home Information Packs (Hips), and as ...
The Government has no definite date for the wider roll-out of Home Information Packs (Hips), and as indicated it would need to assess the state of the housing market before making any decisions.
Iain Wright MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for housing planning, has refused to give a final date to roll out Hips to the one- and two-bedroom homes.
He did confirm, however, that the Government is committed to the reform of the home-buying and selling process, and Hips play a vital role in that.
He also indicated that to increase the level of work available for Domestic Energy Assessors (DEAs), ministers are considering rolling out Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) to the lettings sector.
Hips must include any recent planning permissions or building consent, copies of title deeds and an EPC, which serves as another way of ensuring the UK complies with the EU directive coming into force in 2008.
The Association of Home Information Providers (AHIPP) said it is disappointed with Wright's reluctance to set a final date, and believes there are no reasons for further delay.
AHIPP's director general Mike Ockenden said: "The four- and three-bedroom roll-out has been successful and seamless.
"The market impact has been limited to a blip in listings before four- and three-bedroom properties went live, followed by a corresponding reduction in listings immediately after each roll-out.
"Four-bedroom home listings have now returned to normal levels, and three-bedroom homes are following the same trend. I see no reason to delay the commencement order any further."
He also pointed out that there are now over 5,000 DEAs ready to provide EPCs, a higher number than the 3,000 target for the national roll-out of Hips.
"There are many benefits for first-time buyers and potential for a reduction in carbon emissions by completing a Hips roll-out across all homes," he added.
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