
June 2007
The date for introducing Home Information Packs (Hips) in England
and Wales has been put back to 1 August 2007 and will initially
apply to homes with at least four bedrooms. The packs, which will
contain useful information for any buyer, were due to become compulsory
from 1 June 2007. Scotland is due to introduce its own version
of the pack in 2008.
The whole idea of the packs has received a mixed response as some
feel that it will add extra expense and red tape to the house selling
process. Others have argued that it brings much needed transparency.
The packs are to contain information that will be useful to any
potential buyer.
Copies of title deeds, any recent planning permission or building
consent given on the property, a local area search and an energy
performance certificate will all be in the pack.
The main reason given for the delay is that there needed to be more assessors in place to produce enough energy performance certificates - as many as 2,000 more than are currently accredited. Once more assessors are trained, the requirement to have a Hip will be extended to smaller properties.
Another change is that sellers will not have to a Hip in place before putting their property up for sale.
Internet link: BBC news item
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