The DCLG has announced HIPs will be extended to all properties with three bedrooms or more…

The Commencement Order was laid on Friday 17 August and all properties with more than three bedrooms will now require a HIP if they are put on the market on or after 10th September.

The news has been welcomed by the Association of Home Information Pack Providers (AHIPP), which has been working tirelessly with its members since HIPs were introduced.  Since that time, the industry has been delivering packs professionally and efficiently and is fully prepared for the extended roll out to three bedroom homes.

In the three weeks since the introduction of HIPs, concerns have been raised about the number of qualified energy assessors currently awaiting work. However, with HIPs now a reality for three bedroom homes, and with the remainder of the housing stock soon to follow, energy assessors can feel confident that work is on the way.

Relief in sight

Mike Ockenden, Director General, 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.

“I would now strongly urge Government to extend the implementation to the rest of the housing stock, so that HIPs can really start to do the job they have been brought in to do.

”At last there is some relief in sight from the incredible stress that home sellers and buyers endure, and in addition, we can start to significantly improve the energy efficiency of our homes.”

NAEA ‘uneasy’

Peter Bolton King, Chief Executive at the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA), comments: “The NAEA has consistently expressed concerns regarding the implementation of HIPS as there still remains a shortfall of qualified energy assessors taking the exams. 

“We did anticipate the second phase to be in the Autumn, but with this announcement it now appears that the Government may try and include all dwellings by the end of the year!  This will continue to place uncertainty into an already delicate residential market. The NAEA will be closely monitoring its impact on the market in England and Wales. 

 “The current housing climate remains unsettled at this moment in time.  House owners and hunters are already feeling the pressure due to continuing interest rate rises which is placing increasing strains on their wallets. Also, reactions to the instability being experienced in the world's stock markets cannot but continue the current uncertainties. We do not believe that today’s announcement will assist in bringing about stability; to the contrary, it will hinder it."

‘Hugely disappointing’

Christopher Lacy, the director of Savills said: “It is hugely disappointing that the Government has failed to take the opportunity to ensure that the supply system for HIPs is functioning well before expanding the requirement to 3 bed homes.

“HIPs have only been in force for 4 bed homes for just over 2 weeks and the Pack Providing companies and estate agents are still struggling to 'tune' their systems for the efficient supply of packs. Not only that, but it is done within the peak holiday period with only 3 weeks notice for those considering selling their homes”.