HIP extension attacked

The government’s decision to extend the mandatory use of home information packs (HIPs) and energy performance certificates (EPCs) from next week has been branded “highly irresponsible” by the Law Society.
The society says the government should have conducted a thorough review of the first phase of HIPs and EPCs before extending the scheme to smaller properties. The attack follows the announcement that HIPs and EPCs will be rolled out to three bedroom properties from 10 September.

Paul Marsh, Law Society vice president, says: “We are deeply disappointed that the government is continuing its cavalier approach to HIPs and the home buying process.

“The government needs to wait to ensure that the first tranche of HIPs has operated successfully before considering rolling it out to smaller properties, rather than rushing ahead prematurely. October would be a more acceptable earliest date for the introduction of HIPs, so that in September a full review of the introduction of HIPs could take place.”

The government, he says, appears to be bowing to pressure from those with a primary financial interest in the HIPs market, while there has been no formal communication to established stakeholders such as the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, the National Association of Estate Agents, and the Law Society.