News and Press Releases
Press release 22/11/2007
HIPs now mandatory for all house sales in England and Wales.
The government today announced that from December 14th 2007, HIPs will be required for all properties marketed for sale in England and Wales. This now means that one and two bedroom houses will require a HIP prior to their sale - the current legislation covers houses with 3 or more bedrooms.
Press release 12/10/07
Government remain silent on drop dead date.
The department of communities and local government remain silent as to the date from which all properties marketed for sale must have a completed HIP. To date, allowances have been made (i.e. a HIP is not required) for 4 bedroom+ properties marketed prior to August 1st 2007 and for 3 bedroom+ properties marketed before 10 September 2007. We wait to hear when all properties marketed will need to have a HIP.
Press release 18/09/07
Local Authority Trading Standards Departments to look at adherence to HIP and EPC regulations.
Penalty charges of £200 (per incident) maybe charged if estate agents commit a breach of their pack duties, it was announced by the government today. Although the emphasis will be on providing information and advice to achieve compliance, penalty charges will be issued for breaches and for repeat breaches.
Press release 10/09/07
3+ Bedroom houses now require an EPC and HIP before a property can be marketed
The government have now made it compulsory (in England and Wales) for buyers of 3 bedroom homes (as well as 4+ bedroom homes) to produce an EPC and HIP prior to their house being marketed for sale.s
Press release 10/09/07
Early results from EPC data collation
The government has today released early information from some six weeks of data collected through the implementation of EPCs. The data suggests that average 4 bedroom homes are being rated "E", corresponding to potential per annum savings of £180 (on hetaing), £60 (on lighting) and £30 (on hot water).
The top 5 recommendations given by assessors for improving energy efficiency have been: cavity wall insulation, changing to low energy lighting, putting thermostatic valves on radiators, loft insulation, and double glazing.
Press release 23/08/07
HIPs become mandatory in England and Wales
All homes having more than 4 bedrooms and marketed for selling from 1 August 2007 will require a Home Information Pack.
Press release 17/08/07
Three bedroom houses to also require EPCs and HIPs
The department of Communities and Local Government have announced today that EPCs and HIPs will be required prior to the marketing of 3+ bedroom houses from 10th September 2007.
Press release 17/08/07
EPCs and HIPs to become compulsory for all house sales in England & Wales
The Government has today announced its clear intention to ensure that compulsory EPCs and HIPs are to be introduced for all homes as soon as enough energy assessors are trained regionally and nationally.
Press release 18/06/07
5,000 EPCs to be subsidised by government
The Communities and Local Government Department have today announced the intention to subsidise the completion of some 5,000 EPCs prior to 1st August.
Press release 31/08/07
Statutory Instrument covering HIPS for 3 bedroom houses issued
The Office of Public Sector Information (OPSI) has today issued statutory instrument 2007 No.2471 (C.90) that brings into force provisions for HIPs in relation to residential properties with three bedrooms.
Press release 11/06/07
Government announces to parliament updated implementation plan for HIPs
The revised HIP regulations (that replaced those presented to parliament in March 2007) and were announced on May 22nd 2007 were laid before parliament today. They include the intention to instigate a phased roll out of HIPs (beginning initially with 4+ bedroom homes) and the news that any property placed on the market before the 1st August 2007 will not require a HIP.
Press release 08/06/07
Statutory Instrument covering HIPS for 4+ bedroom houses issued
The Office of Public Sector Information (OPSI) has today issued statutory instrument 2007 No.1668 (C.66) that brings into force provisions for HIPs in relation to residential properties with four or more bedrooms.
Press release 22/05/07
Secretary of State outlines plans for HIP introduction across England & Wales
It was announced today by Ruth Kelly, Communities Secretary, that the government intend to introduce HIPs from 1st August 2007 (instead of 1st June 2007) on a phased basis, initially being applicable to 4+ bedroom homes.
Press release 22/05/07
Government reach agreement with Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors
In her statement to parliament today, Ruth Kelly announced that the government had reached agreement with the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors regarding their judicial review of Energy Performance Certificates. The agreement is based on a revision of the regulations meaning that HIPs and EPCs will commence from August 1st 2007 on a phased basis, that HIPs and EPCs will only be required for houses with 4 or more bedrooms, vendors can market their properties prior to them receiving a HIP and EPC until December 31st 2007 and EPCs currently will be allowed to be up to 12 months old prior to a property being placed on the market for sale.
Press release 16/05/07
Government remain strong on EPCs and climate change
Housing Minister Yvette Cooper today robustly defended the introduction of EPCs as an imperative measure to limit the impact of climate change. Further she re-iterated the importance of HIPs as a mechanism to improve the house buying and selling process of homes.
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