Minister heckled over HIPs

At the conference held on Tuesday, Iain Wright MP confirmed that the full roll out of Home Information Packs (HIPs) is dependant on an assessment of the state of the housing market. However he refused to be drawn on when the last commencement order will be laid and what the criteria are for making that decision.

Mike Ockenden, director general of AHIPP, said: “The Minister’s refusal to indicate the likely timing for full rollout of HIPs to one and two bedroom homes clearly angered many people in the audience. They felt very let down by the Government, and the implications of stalling on a full rollout are having a real impact on their livelihood. Domestic Energy Assessors (DEAs), Home Inspectors (HIs) and Pack Providers were united in the feedback to Iain Wright – there is no reason for any further delay."

However, the audience was reassured by Government’s commitment to reform the home buying and selling process and the vital role that HIPs will play in that reform. Mr Wright pledged to continue working with the industry to ensure that the full benefits of HIPs are delivered to consumers, making the process quicker, less stressful and ultimately less expensive.

Ockenden added: “The four and three bedroom rollout has been successful and seamless. The market impact has been limited to a blip in listings before four and then three bedroom properties went live followed by a corresponding reduction in listings immediately after each rollout. Four bedroom home listings have now returned to normal levels according to the Rightmove data issued on Monday and three bedroom homes are following the same trend. With this confirmed by the Minister on Tuesday, I see no reason to delay the commencement order any further.

“The session did spark some discussion on how to increase the amount of work available for DEAs and HIs by rolling out Energy performance Certificates (EPCs) to the lettings sector sooner rather than later, and extending the social housing programme. This would bring forward the benefits of carbon reduction from these properties and also utilise the skills of the people who have specially trained for the industry.

“I would like to see no further hesitation in laying down the final commencement order. This will be to the benefit of first time buyers and those people trading down from three and four bedroom homes. It will also ensure that carbon emissions from our homes are reduced.”