Feed Mix 18 Jul 2006 16:24:25 +0000 Keep up to date about Home Information Packs. Register now and receive free HipS updates by email. http://www.hipsco.co.uk/ en Hipsco have launched an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) service for landlords and letting agents, the new ordering process will be integrated into the current Hip ordering system, and EPCs only will be charged at £85 + vat. Richard Richmond Managing director comments” the new 08 Jul 2008 15:26:17 +0000 http://www.hipsco.co.uk/news/08-07-08.htm The Association of Home Information Pack Providers AHipP has challenged local authorities to sort out their handling of home information packs Hips or face the consequences in due course. Hips are presently subject to temporary measures put in the place by 23 Jun 2008 15:26:17 +0000 http://www.hipsco.co.uk/news/23-06-08.htm The government has delayed plans that require homeowners to produce a home information pack (Hip) before they 09 May 2008 15:26:17 +0000 http://www.hipsco.co.uk/news/09-05-08.htm Communities Minister Iain Wright has today (Thursday, 3 April) called on the business community to work together to improve the energy efficiency of our buildings. Buildings are responsible for 03 Apr 2008 11:16:15 +0000 http://www.hipsco.co.uk/news/03-04-08.htm Consultants and sustainability experts have question Government officials over whether buildings really measure up to their Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) ratings. A whole range of issues were raised when 29 Mar 2008 15:26:05 +0000 http://www.hipsco.co.uk/news/29-03-08.htm Most energy performance certifiers inspect just over one home per day at a rate of £30-45 Energy assessors working on the troubled home information pack initiative are earning less than £10,000 a year from 28 Mar 2008 13:37:05 +0000 http://www.hipsco.co.uk/news/28-03-08.htm Home Information Packs Hips should contain home condition reports, according to the Association of Home Information Pack Providers Ahipp. Director general of Ahipp Mike Ockendon explained 27 Mar 2008 13:37:05 +0000 http://www.hipsco.co.uk/news/27-03-08.htm The price consumers pay for home information packs (Hips) varies dramatically across the country, according to Which?. Nick Cheek, assistant editor for the consumer 26 Mar 2008 13:37:05 +0000 http://www.hipsco.co.uk/news/26-03-08.htm People who forecasted that Home Information Packs (Hips) would have a negative effect on the housing market have got it wrong, according to the Association of Home Information Pack Providers (AHipP). The group has claimed that the introduction of Hips has not made any 20 Mar 2008 13:37:05 +0000 http://www.hipsco.co.uk/news/20-03-08.htm The Ombudsman for Estate Agents has reported a strong response to its code of practice scheme with agents signing up at faster rates than inquiries can be lodged or cases investigated. A report by Christopher Hamer, ombudsman of the OEA, shows that while member numbers climbed by 60% during 2007 the number of complaints received within my terms of reference only increased by 48% for residential sales. Hamer also says a 63% rise in the number of cases closed 18 Mar 2008 13:37:05 +0000 http://www.hipsco.co.uk/news/18-03-08.htm new survey has revealed that almost a third of homebuyers intend to act on the information contained in their energy performance certificates (EPCs). The EPC comes as part of the controversial Home information pack (Hip) and the news will come as a boost for the government. There has been much opposition 10 Mar 2008 13:37:05 +0000 http://www.hipsco.co.uk/news/10-03-08.htm Veriphy has been chosen as the data provider of choice for home information pack (Hip) company Hipsco. Veriphy, based in Newcastle, will provide Hipsco, with money laundering checks for clients every time a Hip is ordered. This partnership will enable estate agents to ensure that all their new clients are subject to money laundering checks with the results being retained by the estate agent. Hipsco managing director, Richard Richmond said 11 Jan 2008 13:37:05 +0000 http://www.hipsco.co.uk/news/11-01-08.htm A parliamentary committee has lambasted the Communities and Local Government (CLG) department for errors it made in its rollout of home information packs (Hips). The committee's report criticised CLG for delaying the introduction of Hips and for weakening the documents by not making home condition reports (HCRs) 01 Jan 2008 13:37:05 +0000 http://www.hipsco.co.uk/news/08-01-08.htm Home Information Packs will be rolled out to cover all properties in England and Wales from today. It means everyone selling a home will now have to provide a pack for prospective buyers. Among other documents HipS will need to include an energy performance certificate and 14 Dec 2007 13:37:05 +0000 http://www.hipsco.co.uk/news/14-12-07.htm Hips home packs get full roll-out Hips have split opinion over whether or not they are needed Home information packs (Hips) will be required for all properties being sold in England and Wales from 14 December, the government has announced. 22 Nov 2007 13:37:05 +0000 http://www.hipsco.co.uk/news/22-11-07.htm In response to the latest NAEA survey on Home Information Packs (Hips), which suggests that Hips have had an adverse impact on the market, the Association of Home Information Pack Providers (AHipP) is calling on the industry to demand facts not fiction. Paul Broadhead, Deputy Director General, Association of Home Information Pack Providers (AHipP) commented: "It is not surprising that the NAEA's latest survey has highlighted, yet again, that agents want Hips to be abandoned. The NAEA has made its negative position on packs very clear and as a result its blaming of any market disturbance on their introduction is highly predictable, forming an obvious part of its futile campaign to get packs scrapped. Instead of making judgement on the anecdotal feedback from 1,000 of the NAEA's members, I would urge Government and the industry to rely on hard facts. For example, in the Halifax House Price Index issued today, house prices 16 Nov 2007 14:00:05 +0000 http://www.hipsco.co.uk/news/16-11-07.htm The Ombudsman for Estate Agents (OEA) has reported a surge in membership over the past two years. Statistics from the OEA have shown that the number of members has increased from 5,022 estate agency branches at the end of 2005 to 11,816 today. A growth rate of more than 50 per cent for each of the last two years was spurred by the decision of the National Association of Estate Agents to require most of its members to join the OEA redress scheme and by estate agents in England and Wales enrolling en-masse to meet the new Home Information Pack (Hip) rules that require them to have redress in place. “All, apart from a few hundred, have signed up to the full OEA Code of Practice, the only one governing the 26 Oct 2007 14:00:05 +0000 http://www.hipsco.co.uk/news/26-10-07.htm Energy performance certificates (EPCs) will have a great impact on lowering fuel bills and carbon emissions, according to one industry observer. Mike Ockenden, director general of the Association of Home Information Pack Providers, made the comment at the start of Energy Saving Week, which kicks off today. "The EPC will help to significantly reduce carbon emissions and help families cut their fuel bills," he said, adding that 27 per cent of total carbon emissions come from homes. "We have an obligation to reduce 24 Oct 2007 14:00:05 +0000 http://www.hipsco.co.uk/news/24-10-07.htm Mike Ockenden, director general, Association of Home Information Pack Providers (AHipP), has hit out at the Conservatives are making claims of “burying” research about Home Information Packs (Hips). He said: “The Conservatives are purely speculating that the information from last year’s trials is negative. Whilst I can confirm that we have not received the results, anecdotal evidence suggests to us that the feedback will be broadly positive. This is why it is so frustrating that Government has not completed the rollout of Hips. The Conservative reaction is just the usual politicking and 23 Oct 2007 14:00:05 +0000 http://www.hipsco.co.uk/news/23-10-07.htm With first time buyers still yet to receive the benefits of Home information packs (Hips), many in the industry believed that the Association of Home Information Pack Providers' (AHipP) annual conference would see the government announce a date for a full-scale rollout, but minister Iain Wright's failure to do so has been strongly criticised by the association. Mr Wright, parliamentary under secretary of state for housing and planning, told the conference that market volatility brought on by the current credit crunch and a slowdown in house prices was delaying the extension of the scheme. Hips were introduced for homes with four or more bedrooms on August 1st, and extended to three bedroom homes on September 10th, but a further rollout does not now appear to be forthcoming. Prospective buyers already struggling to afford a first time buyer mortgage would benefit from having more information provided to them via the packs. "The Minister' refusal to indicate the likely timing for full rollout of Hips to one and two bedroom homes clearly angered 19 Oct 2007 14:00:05 +0000 http://www.hipsco.co.uk/news/19-10-07.htm An independent review has been established to scrutinise the residential property market. The Carsberg Review of Residential Property - carried out by Sir Bryan Carsberg, a former director general of the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) – is sponsored by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) and will examine the standards and regulations of the domestic residential market. Industry bodies, consumers, the government and other stakeholders will all be invited to air their views on the subject with the finding made public.. It is hoped the review will be considered when shaping future policy for 18 Oct 2007 14:00:05 +0000 http://www.hipsco.co.uk/news/18-10-07.htm The latest survey from the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) has revealed a quiet September for the housing market as the number of sales agreed and buyers on books were both down for the time of year, while stock levels were reported to be at a high. After a slight pick up between July and August, NAEA members from around the country reported reduced activity this September. Higher than usual stock levels for one and two bedroom properties have yet to be matched with enough keen buyers and this is causing problems for some regional markets. At the other end of the scale, after a bout of new instructions prior to the second stage launch of home information packs (Hips) in September, there is now a shortage of new three and four bedroom properties coming onto the market and this is again causing problems. A number of factors have combined recently to affect the market over what is traditionally a busier time for estate agency. Interest rate rises, the international ‘credit crunch’ and election indecision have all been cited alongside Hips as contributors to the current lull. Although a number of areas have been affected, agents report that London and the South East still remain more active. With the current excess of smaller properties on the market, there is potentially good news for first time buyers as well, who stand to gain from the increased supply over the coming months. The number of sales agreed per agent was down in September from both the previous month and the same time last year according to the NAEA survey. On average 11 sales were agreed per agent in September 2007, compared with 12 in August 2007 and 14 in September 2006. This year’s September figure is closer to levels usually reported over the quieter summer and festive periods. With considerable uncertainty surrounding the market at the moment, it is perhaps unsurprising that home buyers and sellers have been reluctant to commit to a sale. On top of the reduced sales agreed figures, the percentage of sales which fell through remained at a high of 10.7% in September for a second month running. Meanwhile, the percentage difference between asking price and sales price widened in September to 3.9%, up on the previous month’s figure of 3.5% and September 2006’s figure of 3.1%. With a lack of buyers and higher than usual stock levels characterising many regional markets at the moment, the NAEA is warning sellers 17 Oct 2007 14:00:05 +0000 http://www.hipsco.co.uk/news/17-10-07.htm Home information packs (Hip’s) are still not being seen by house sellers and buyers as adding any value to the sales process, however it does seem that they are forcing people to think about improving the energy efficiency of their home. I must admit that when I was insulating our loft, it did occur to me that having far better insulation would be beneficial should we ever put the property on the market. The thought of an energy efficiency inspector shining his torch around the loft did spring to my mind when I was 16 Oct 2007 14:00:05 +0000 http://www.hipsco.co.uk/news/16-10-07.htm Barclays and HSBC have hit out at stories that they will not accept personal searches included in Home Information Packs (Hips) in connection with mortgages. A report in the Daily Mail claimed that the banks would demand that buyers carry out extra searches as they did not trust information in Hips. The mortgage lenders responded by saying that they wanted searches vetted by solicitors, not new searches all together. A statement from Barclays read: "Various stories have suggested that 24 Aug 2007 14:00:05 +0000 http://www.hipsco.co.uk/news/24-08-07.htm The government has today confirmed that all properties three bedroom and over will need a hips pack, with effect from the 10th September. Following the introduction of the packs for homes with four bedrooms and above on August 1, the Government has today confirmed there will be enough energy assessor 17 Aug 2007 14:00:05 +0000 http://www.hipsco.co.uk/news/17-08-07.htm Home information packs (Hips) will be launched this week for properties with four bedrooms or more. After much delay and changes, the gradual implementation of the Hips will start on 1st August and it is more than likely that by the end of the year Hips will apply to all properties coming onto the market, 30 July 2007 14:00:05 +0000 http://www.hipsco.co.uk/news/30-07-07.htm Over 1,500 people have become accredited Domestic Energy Assessors (DEAs) it has been reported. Current number of accredited DEAs: 1,595 Number of DEAs required for four bedroom, plus homes: achieved Number of DEAs required for three bedroom plus, homes: 2,000 Number of DEAs required for all housing stock: 3,000 Latest figures show that there are now, nearly 1,600 Domestic Energy Assessors (DEAs) accredited and ready to produce Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) for the 1st August. The current figures represent a surge in accreditations, with an additional 09 July 2007 14:00:05 +0000 http://www.hipsco.co.uk/news/09-07-07.htm The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors could be forced to call an EGM over its decision to launch a judicial review against the government over Hips, after nearly 150 members have signed a petition calling for the immediate launch of Hips. The petitioners believe that once 200 members sign the petition - called ‘RICS members for the immediate launch of Hips - the professional body will be forced to hold an EGM in order to discuss its members’ complaints. However RICS claims the petition would need 910 signatures to go to its governing council. The petition reveals that the body did not consult its own members on whether it should launch a judicial review against the Government. The petition also includes a signature from a senior member of RICS’ residential faculty board, Graham Ellis, a managing director at the Survey and Valuation Company, who claims a lot of residential faculty board members did not know about the judicial review. Ellis says he was surprised that the judicial review was done without 02 July 2007 14:00:05 +0000 http://www.hipsco.co.uk/news/02-07-07.htm Property owners persist to put their home on the market in June to avoid home information packs. According to Rightmove, the property listing website, houses on the market rose by 10% in June and 200,000 more homes were put up for sale. Rightmove commented that vendors seem to be putting their properties up for sale before Hips are launched. The dash to beat the approaching Hips deadline seems to have brought some disinterested sellers to the market. These people are 20 June 2007 14:00:05 +0000 http://www.hipsco.co.uk/news/20-06-07.htm Stephen Maskens, chief executive officer of Hipstar, has sensationally quit the Network Data-owned Home Information Pack provider today. Network Data's CEO Richard Griffiths has blamed the government's recent U-turn on Hips for forcing the firm to adopt "a lighter and more sales-focussed management team." Maskens leaves with another senior member of the management team. On top of that, Hipstar will now be restructuring its management team and staffing levels are being reviewed. A number of temporary staff have been let go and 05 June 2007 14:00:05 +0000 http://www.hipsco.co.uk/news/05-06-07.htm Despite the announcement by the Government to delay the introduction of Home Information Packs (Hips) until 1st August 2007, when they will become compulsory for all houses with four or more bedrooms in the UK, new research from Hyder Consulting reveals that the majority of UK adults are in favour of the introduction of Hips, with 51% claiming that a property's energy efficiency rating is a key consideration when purchasing a new home.Support for HipS appears strong across the entire country with people in the East Midlands most in favour of their introduction with 60% stating that a property's energy efficiency rating is important to 31 May 2007 14:00:05 +0000 http://www.hipsco.co.uk/news/31-05-07.htm Clive Dickin, chief executive of the Association of Plumbing and Heating Contractors (APHC), has slammed the government’s decision to delay the introduction of Home Information Packs as “inexcusable”. Clive Dickin said: “I am angry and disappointed at the 25 May 2007 14:00:05 +0000 http://www.hipsco.co.uk/news/25-05-07.htm The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors says it will not withdraw its application for judicial review unless the government meets it obligations over Energy Performance Certificates. Last week judge Justice Collins issued an order preventing EPCs to be included in the Home Information Packs until a court had fully considered the RICS application. In response, the government has postponed Hips until August 1 and will then phase them in. Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly told ministers that RICS was committed 23 May 2007 14:00:05 +0000 http://www.hipsco.co.uk/news/23-05-07.htm Home Information Packs will be delayed until August mainly to allow for further Energy Assessors to be accredited, Ruth Kelly, Communities Secretary told MPs Today The packs which were due to be introduced from the 1st June 2007, will now be introduced on the 22 May 2007 14:00:05 +0000 http://www.hipsco.co.uk/news/22-05-07.htm Home Information Packs (Hips) will not only improve the current home buying and selling process but are set to revolutionise the surveying profession, according to the Association of Home Information Pack Providers (AHipP). While residential chartered surveyors looked to become a scarce breed, with an average age of 58, the number of new trainees, initially attracted by the home inspector and 21 May 2007 14:00:05 +0000 http://www.hipsco.co.uk/news/21-05-07.htm Green groups have backed the vote by MPs for the introduction of Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) - as part of Home Information Packs (Hips) - on 1st June. Friends of the Earth, WWF-UK an 18 May 2007 14:00:05 +0000 http://www.hipsco.co.uk/news/18-05-07.htm MPs have voted against annulling Home Information Packs – Hips regulations following a debate in the House of Commons. The debate was brought to the House by a Conservative Party motion calling for 16 May 2007 14:00:05 +0000 http://www.hipsco.co.uk/news/16-05-07.htm The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors has commenced Judicial Review proceedings against the Department for Communities and Local Government for its failure to carry out proper consultation prior to implementing new legislation to bring in Home Information Packs. RICS chairman of regulatory board Teresa Graham says: "RICS has not made 15 May 2007 14:00:05 +0000 http://www.hipsco.co.uk/news/15-05-07.htm Home Information Packs (Hips) could significantly reduce wasted costs and duplicated information gathering, saving consumers time and money, says the Association of Home Information Pack Providers (AHipP). There is now only 21 days to go until Hips become a reality. Under the existing process a number of prospective purchasers could end up paying for the same information on a given property. If an initial sale falls through, other potential buyers pay again for the same information - information that in some cases has in fact resulted in the first 11 May 2007 14:00:05 +0000 http://www.hipsco.co.uk/news/11-05-07.htm With the imminent arrival of Home information packs on the 1st June 2007 the recruitment market has not seen any slowdown in the Estate Agency sector but is starting to see a trend for demand for candidates wanting to work with larger agencies. Samantha Trott, Director of Ashman Meyer Limited who specialises in Estate Agency recruitment commented 10 May 2007 14:00:05 +0000 http://www.hipsco.co.uk/news/10-05-07.htm A survey of 10 training and assessment centres for Home Inspectors and Domestic Energy Assessors (DEAs) shows there will be in excess of 3,500 trained and accredited operatives by 1 June, says the Association of Home Information Pack Providers (AHipP). AHipP said opponents of Hips have erroneously reported that up to 7,500 energy assessors will be needed for 1 June and that there will be a shortfall of thousands. This figure became redundant on 18 July last year when Home Condition Reports (HCRs) 09 May 2007 14:00:05 +0000 http://www.hipsco.co.uk/news/09-05-07.htm The introduction of Home Information Packs (Hips) could considerably reduce the impact of stress, for both the consumer and for the economy, says the Association of Home Information Pack Providers (AHipP). Mike Ockenden Director General, AHipP said: “The high levels of transaction failure and the extended period of uncertainty between offer and exchange of contracts in the current 08 May 2007 14:00:05 +0000 http://www.hipsco.co.uk/news/08-05-07.htm People looking to sell their home should seek estate agents who are supportive of home information packs (Hips), according to a trade body. The Association of Home Information Pack Providers (Ahipp) has said that 05 May 2007 14:00:05 +0000 http://www.hipsco.co.uk/news/05-05-07.htm Home Information Packs and the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive The Government is grateful to the Merits Committee for its consideration of the Home Information Pack regulations and the regulations giving effect to the European Directive on the Energy Performance of Buildings. I thought it might be helpful if I wrote to you summarising the Government’s position. The purpose of these regulations is two fold: to improve the home buying and selling process for consumers 04 May 2007 14:00:05 +0000 http://www.hipsco.co.uk/news/04-05-07.htm Companies who are training or employing Home Inspectors and Domestic Energy Assessors claim research they have carried out shows there will be more than 2,600 people qualified to deliver Energy Performance Certificates by June. It is estimated that more than 1.7 million energy reports will be needed each year and that in June, when Home Information Packs become mandatory, 91,000 reports will be required. That figure will grow to 153,000 reports in October if current levels of activity continue. Mike Ockenden, director general of the Association of Home Information 05 Apr 2007 14:00:05 +0000 http://www.hipsco.co.uk/news/05-04-07.htm The Association of Home Information Pack Providers (AHipP) has called the Conservatives opposition to Home Information Packs (Hips) as 'feeble and desperate'. Mike Ockenden, director-general for AHipP, questioning their motivation: “This self-confessed ‘last-ditch’ attempt to block the introduction of Home Information Packs (Hips), spearheaded by Shadow Housing Minister Michael Gove is political propaganda representing anti-democratic behaviour: the publ 26 Apr 2007 14:00:05 +0000 http://www.hipsco.co.uk/news/26-04-07.htm Companies who are training or employing Home Inspectors and Domestic Energy Assessors claim research they have carried out shows there will be more than 2,600 people qualified to deliver Energy Performance Certificates by June. It is estimated that more than 1.7 million energy reports will be needed each year and that in June, when Home Information Packs become mandatory, 91,000 reports will be required. That figure will grow to 153,000 reports in October if current levels of activity continue. Mike Ockenden, director general of the Association of Home Information 05 Apr 2007 14:00:05 +0000 http://www.hipsco.co.uk/news/05-04-07.htm Property and legal experts have accused ministers of failing to take their concerns about the introduction of Home Information Packs (Hips) seriously. A group including the Law Society and Council of Mortgage Lenders said ministers had declined a meeting to discuss their concerns about the plan. Hips will become compulsory for all sellers in England and Wales on 1 June. But the group said 20 Mar 2007 14:00:05 +0000 http://www.hipsco.co.uk/news/20-03-07.htm The Association of Home Information Pack Providers (AHipP) has welcomed SAVA's statement that enough qualified assessors will be trained in time to deliver Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs). Mike Ockenden, director general of AHipP, said: “The latest figures released by SAVA, the UK’s largest training and assessment centre for Home Inspectors and Domestic Energy Assessors (DEAs), provide a clear 14 Mar 2007 14:00:05 +0000 http://www.hipsco.co.uk/news/14-03-07.htm Hipsco has hit out against franchises for Home Inspectors and Domestic Energy Assessors calling them expensive and unnecessary. Richard Richmond, Managing Director of Hipsco says, “franchises are normally sold on the basis of there being a replicatable existing business model, this simply isn’t the case with Home Inspectors or Energy Assessors indeed there is no guarantee that the companies offering this type of franchise will have a successful Hips proposition 13 Mar 2007 14:00:05 +0000 http://www.hipsco.co.uk/news/13-03-07.htm Consumer protection for people buying and selling residential property in England and Wales have received a massive boost. The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has approved the Ombudsman for Estate Agents' application to run a redress scheme under the Housing Act 2004 in respect of Home Information Packs (Hips). From 1 June, all estate agents in England and Wales will be required to join the OEA scheme covering complaints about their conduct with regard to Home Information Packs and offering complainants redress, including the 12 Mar 2007 14:00:05 +0000 http://www.hipsco.co.uk/news/12-03-07.htm The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has joined the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) in calling for the postponement of mandatory home information packs (Hips). RICS spokesman, Jeremy Leaf, said: “Home buying reform yes! But, implementation proposals are potentially detrimental to the market and the interest of consumers and the wider economy, that we have little choice but to call for a postponement. “This would provide the opportunity to look at home buying reform in the round, which we have been urging the government to do for some time. We believe that it is time to sweep up all the problems with home buying and selling rather than focus on the depleted home information pack which has most of the stuffing removed.” RICS has offered a number of solutions to the government as part of its consultation response and is working with other government departments and colleagues in 25 Feb 2007 14:00:05 +0000 http://www.hipsco.co.uk/news/25-02-07.htm This spring could see a glut of houses for sales as property owners try to beat the introduction of Home Information Packs in June, it was claimed yesterday. The effect could be especially pronounced in North-West Wales, which has been chosen as the first area in Wales to use the packs. Homeowners in Gwynedd, Conwy and Anglesey can get free Hips if they are putting their properties on the market before June. Across Wales, all homes put on the market from June 1 will need a Hip containing reports on the terms of sale, confirmation of leasehold, an Energy Performance Certificate, results of local authority searches and other information for prospective buyers. Launching the early roll-out in Llandudno yesterday, the Association of Home Information Pack Providers said it was pleased many businesses had agreed 23 Feb 2007 14:00:05 +0000 http://www.hipsco.co.uk/news/23-02-07.htm The Association of Hip Providers (Ahipp) has rejected calls for the postponement of Home Information Packs (Hips) made by the Council of Mortgage Lenders' (CML) The CML has taken a month to respond to Ahipp's consultation document, a move the group has claimed will create 22 Feb 2007 14:00:05 +0000 http://www.hipsco.co.uk/news/22-02-07.htm The implementation of Home Information Packs should be postponed until full evidence from research and the area trials are available, says the Council of Mortgage Lenders. In its response to the latest Government consultation on Hips, the CML says this evidence is 21 Feb 2007 14:00:05 +0000 http://www.hipsco.co.uk/news/21-02-07.htm An additional 12 areas are to join the six regions currently taking part in a dry run of Home Information Packs (Hips) the association backing the project has revealed. Manchester, Cardiff, Coventry, Bristol, Leicester, Chelmsford, Nottingham, Plymouth and Liverpool are all joining today, said the Association of Hips Providers (AHipP). They will also be available to homebuyers in the M4 corridor from Reading to Wokingham, the Thames corridor from 09 Feb 2007 14:00:05 +0000 http://www.hipsco.co.uk/news/09-02-07.htm The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors still has serious concerns over the implementation of Hips, despite yesterday’s Government announcement that was aimed at speeding up the home-buying process. The Government yesterday set out a new consultation to promote energy efficiency by proposing estate agents include energy performance certificates. The consultation also sets out that sellers, for an initial transitional period, will be able to market their home as soon as an EPC and key legal documents are provided as long as searches and leasehold documents have been commissioned. These transitional arrangements will be reviewed after six months. 30 Jan 2007 14:00:05 +0000 http://www.hipsco.co.uk/news/30-01-07.htm The Government have once again u-turned on Hips. Properties marketed before the 1st of June launch will now have until March 2008 before they require a Hips pack, the original deadline was October 2007. Other changes will allow sellers to market their property as soon as the Energy Performance Certificate and key legal documents are provided as long as searches and leasehold documents have been commissioned. Previously, Home Information Packs had to contain local searches before the property could go on the market and for leasehold properties they were required to contain leasehold documents. 26 Jan 2007 14:00:05 +0000 http://www.hipsco.co.uk/news/26-01-07.htm ESTATE agents yesterday called on the public to help get rid of Home Information Packs (Hips), which every seller will have to have before a property is marketed for sale. The packs are due to come into effect on 1st June 2007. 22 Jan 2007 14:00:05 +0000 http://www.hipsco.co.uk/news/22-01-07.htm The home information packs (Hips) trial, aimed at reducing the number of collapsed house sales began today. The packs, which will become mandatory from June 2007, will provide potential homebuyers with up-front information and an energy efficiency report on a house. 07 Nov 2006 14:00:05 +0000 http://www.hipsco.co.uk/news/07-11-06.htm Following the scrapping of Home Condition Reports (HCRs) as a mandatory part of the Home Information Pack, the government has announced plans for the introduction of a new Energy Inspector qualification. This will allow anyone qualified to produce the Energy Performance Certificate, which is to remain in the hips pack as a mandatory element. 08 Aug 2006 17:39:05 +0000 http://www.hipsco.co.uk/news/08-08-06.htm Yvette Cooper, housing minister, is expected to announce in the near future that Home Condition Reports (HCRs) will be scrapped as a mandatory part of Home Information Pack’s due to start in June 2007. Sources say the government has been plagued by criticism of the new Hips packs especially by the conservatives, particular criticism has been made of the high cost of the packs for homeowners and their potential impact on the housing market. 18 Jul 2006 17:24:05 +0000 http://www.hipsco.co.uk/news/18-07-06.htm GMAC-RFC has revealed research on the potential economic impact of Home Information Packs (Hips). At a meeting in the House of Commons. GMAC-RFC presented the research it has commissioned to all three political parties, various other public policymakers and interested observers on both sides of the Hips debate. The independent economic modelling work was undertaken by Oxford Economic Forecasting (OEF) who has also undertaken work for HM Treasury, the Department for Trade and Industry (DTI), the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. An independent academic overlay analysing the OEF output was additionally commissioned by GMAC-RFC from Mark Stephens, professor of European housing and assistant director of the Centre for Housing Policy at the University of York. The OEF study considered the economic impact of a fall in housing transactions arising from the imposition of a compulsory Hip charge on a largely discretionary market. The report shows that in both scenarios unemployment rises, but GDP and net revenue to the Government falls, even taking into account that new VAT will be generated on Hips. 18 Jul 2006 09:01:24 +0000 http://www.hipsco.co.uk/news/28-06-06.htm Energy ratings similar to consumer-friendly fridge ratings will have to be produced for every home bought and sold in England and Wales as part of the Home information Packs (Hips) from next June, the government has announced. Housing minister Yvette Cooper has launched the new Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) which will be an essential part of the Home Information Packs to be introduced next year. 16 Jun 2006 14:23:05 +0000 http://www.hipsco.co.uk/news/16-06-06.htm Stafford Railway Building Society has warned Home Information Packs (Hips) could cause a sudden surge in properties for sale followed by a rapid decline. The packs, due to be introduced on 1 June 2007, will be compulsory and are designed to provide people with all the information they need to buy and sell a home. They will cost homeowners up to £1,000 per pack, which concerns Stafford Railway Building Society. Mike Heenan, chief executive at the building society, said: "The packs could trigger a real imbalance in the number of homes on the market. For example, people with lower incomes may be unable to afford the cost of the pack, delaying the listing of properties. Alternatively, people may rush to sell their properties before the change in policy on 1 June 2007. 9 Jun 2006 14:35:14 +0000 http://www.hipsco.co.uk/news/09-06-06.htm Homeowners will face chaos and hundreds of pounds in fines when Home Information Packs are introduced to the property market this time next year, experts claimed yesterday. The contents and regulation of the packs, which will be compulsory for anyone selling a home after June 1 2007, have not yet been finalised by the Government. Critics said yesterday that the details of the packs would come too late and customers would be left at the mercy of cowboy providers. A spokesman for the Law Society said 64 per cent of people had never heard of the term Home Information Pack (Hip). Kevin Martin, the Law Society President, said the lack of awareness was a concern. "There's a real risk that people will find themselves breaking the law if they market their property without the correct information," he said. 2 Jun 2006 14:14:39 +0000 http://www.hipsco.co.uk/news/02-06-06.htm There are growing fears over the "stability of the housing market" if the Government goes ahead with its controversial Home Information Packs. Shadow Housing Minister Michael Gove has tabled a Commons motion highlighting key concerns about the new law which comes into force in 2007 forcing sellers to pay around £700 for a pack before he or she puts their home on the market. Mr Gove is calling for the Hips to be "delayed or cancelled in order to protect the stability of the housing market." The first MPs to sign up to the motion include two Labour back benchers and two Liberal Democrats. President of the National Association of Estate Agents Charles Smailes said :"We have always supported any improvement to the home buying and selling process. "However, we have major concerns about the Home Information Pack's ability to do this in its current form. 26 May 2006 15:47:43 +0000 http://www.hipsco.co.uk/news/26-05-06.htm The government's introduction of compulsory Home Information Packs (Hips) was dismissed as "ridiculous" yesterday by the head of the Building Societies Association (BSA). The packs, which are intended to provide prospective buyers with all the basic information they need about a property, will cost homesellers as much as £1,000 each from June next year. Selling without a Hip will be punishable by a large fine. Building society chief executives say that Hips will be costly and will not achieve the Government's objectives to reassure buyers or speed up housing transactions. They also warned that the packs could create a sudden drop in the number of properties on the market. Research showed 84% of building society chief executives want Hips to be made voluntary. They fear that there could be a glut of property for sale before their introduction next year, creating a downward blip in prices. This could be followed by a rise in prices. 23 May 2006 15:21:24 +0000 http://www.hipsco.co.uk/news/23-05-06.htm