20 May 2010

Both members of the new coalition Government opposed the introduction of Home Information Packs (HIPs) and made abolition a Manifesto commitment at the recent Election. This commitment was confirmed in the coalition agreement document published today.

Full abolition of HIPs will require repeal of Part 5 of the Housing Act 2004 and the Government is making this a priority for their new legislative programme.

Eric Pickles, the new Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (CLG) has today laid the necessary Order in Parliament suspending HIPs with immediate effect as of 21 May 2010 in order to prevent further uncertainty in the housing market and threaten its fragile recovery.

The Government is determined to help people reduce their energy bills, improve our energy security and tackle climate change by increasing the energy efficiency of their homes. As a result, sellers will still be required to provide Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs), as early as possible and in any event by exchange of contracts. However, sellers will only have to commission an EPC, rather than have one in place before they, or someone acting on their behalf, begins marketing the property.

At present, the written particulars must either contain details of the EPC rating or a copy of the EPC must be attached to the particulars. In future, where written particulars are produced before the EPC rating is known, the particulars will need to be updated once the EPC becomes available. The Government will be considering how the EPC can best play its part in the new drive for a low carbon and eco-friendly economy.