Home Information Packs delayed until August |
This afternoon Ruth Kelly, Communities Secretary, made a statement to the House of Commons regarding Home Information Packs (HIPs) and Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs). HIPs and EPCs will only be required for properties with for or more bedrooms from the 1st August though. The will only become mandatory for smaller properties as more assessors become available.
Another easing in the regulations is that until the end of 2007, sellers will be able to market their properties as soon as they have commissioned the packs, rather than having to wait until they have received them.
The delay follows a judge's ruling that the EPCs should be left out of the packs "for the time being". The court case was brought by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) who said they had not had proper consultation on the packs. Their disapproval of the manner the packs are being implemented is well known. RICS Housing Spokesperson Jeremy Leaf said: "This decision shows our fears and concerns were justified. We support the introduction of EPCs – we always have. The additional time should be used constructively to iron-out the problems. The practical implementation of HIPs must serve the best interests of the consumer."
A lack of assessors is also an issue - it is estimated that 2000 would be required on 1st June with the original plans, but there are only 520 who are currently fully accredited.
The change in plan for the pack's implementation is undoubtedly a good move. As the RICS spokesperson says, hopefully the delay will allow the problems to be solved before the packs come into force.