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Hips rollout extended to three-beds

10/09/2007

The government's controversial home information packs (Hips) scheme is rolled out to three-bedroom homes from today.

The move, announced on August 17th by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG), extends the scheme's coverage from just properties with four or more bedrooms.

Ministers had been forced to delay the mandatory rollout of the initiative because of a shortage of qualified energy inspectors.

The government is now confident that there are enough to increase the number of properties covered by the scheme, however.

Buyers for all properties with three or more bedrooms will be provided with the energy performance certificates (EPC), sale statement, standard searches and evidence of title provided by each Hip as a result.

Jeff Smith, chief executive of Hip Payment Services, said he believed the launch of the scheme for four-bedroom properties had been "proven… a success".

"I am confident that the second stage of the government's phased implementation of Hips will go smoothly and l look forward to seeing the packs extended to the rest of the market in the very near future," he said.

"Surely this further vote of confidence from government will finally bring to an end the campaign of unjustified negative propaganda that we have had to endure in recent months and that we can now focus our attention on giving the public the high level of service that they should expect."

The property industry has been vocal in its opposition to Hips, which it claims will deter sellers and drive up the cost of house prices as a result.

The government says some estate agents are offering Hips as part of their general fees, while others are charging up to £350 plus VAT.