News Bulletin "HIPs delayed until 1st August 2007"
The introduction of Home Information Packs is to be delayed until August - when they will be brought in for sales of four-bedroom properties.
The packs were due to become compulsory for all home sales from 1 June.
But Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly told MPs the packs would now be phased in, starting with sales of large homes. She also said that initially sellers would only have to have commissioned a pack, rather than have a completed one, before marketing their property.
The delay comes after a judge, ruling on a legal challenge from surveyors, said the energy performance certificates should be left out of the packs "for the time being".
Ministers have increasingly used the energy certificates to justify the packs, as criticism mounted that they could cost sellers a lot, but not help buyers.
Ms Kelly said the delay meant the packs would be able to include the energy element, which would help to cut carbon emissions by highlighting areas where energy efficiency in a property could be improved.
The legal challenge from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors was based on what they said was a lack of proper consultation on the packs.
There have also been concerns that there are not enough people trained to carry out the environmental checks on properties. Ms Kelly confirmed that shortage when she told MPs there were not going to be enough inspectors trained and accredited for the planned 1 June start date.
Currently 3200 Domestic Energy Assessors (DEA) have passed their exams (1000 of those had passed in the last 6 days). Out of these only 520 are full accredited, with a further 1500 awaiting accreditation. The remainder of DEA’s that had passed their exams had not yet applied for accreditation. Ms Kelly stated that there were a further 1500 people currently training to be a DEA. It is expected that 2500 DEA will be required to satisfy market demands.
The idea had been that homes put up for sale in England and Wales would have to have a completed pack, costing at least £300, with title deeds and an energy performance certificate, from next month.
Energy performance certificates would give sellers and would-be buyers information on the property's energy efficiency, as well as tips on how the energy efficiency of the home could be improved.
They would also ensure that the UK complies with an EU directive which comes into force in 2009.
The packs were due to become compulsory for all home sales from 1 June.
But Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly told MPs the packs would now be phased in, starting with sales of large homes. She also said that initially sellers would only have to have commissioned a pack, rather than have a completed one, before marketing their property.
The delay comes after a judge, ruling on a legal challenge from surveyors, said the energy performance certificates should be left out of the packs "for the time being".
Ministers have increasingly used the energy certificates to justify the packs, as criticism mounted that they could cost sellers a lot, but not help buyers.
Ms Kelly said the delay meant the packs would be able to include the energy element, which would help to cut carbon emissions by highlighting areas where energy efficiency in a property could be improved.
The legal challenge from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors was based on what they said was a lack of proper consultation on the packs.
There have also been concerns that there are not enough people trained to carry out the environmental checks on properties. Ms Kelly confirmed that shortage when she told MPs there were not going to be enough inspectors trained and accredited for the planned 1 June start date.
Currently 3200 Domestic Energy Assessors (DEA) have passed their exams (1000 of those had passed in the last 6 days). Out of these only 520 are full accredited, with a further 1500 awaiting accreditation. The remainder of DEA’s that had passed their exams had not yet applied for accreditation. Ms Kelly stated that there were a further 1500 people currently training to be a DEA. It is expected that 2500 DEA will be required to satisfy market demands.
The idea had been that homes put up for sale in England and Wales would have to have a completed pack, costing at least £300, with title deeds and an energy performance certificate, from next month.
Energy performance certificates would give sellers and would-be buyers information on the property's energy efficiency, as well as tips on how the energy efficiency of the home could be improved.
They would also ensure that the UK complies with an EU directive which comes into force in 2009.
Contact details...... |
Telephone: |
0845 0 944 934 / 020 8300 0225 |
Fax: |
0845 0 944 938 |
