HIPs Without Home Condition Reports Are Good News Law Society Statement 19 July 2006 This is a welcome decision. The Law Society has consistently opposed compulsory home condition reports (HCRs), on the grounds that they would disrupt the house buying process because buyers could not sensibly rely on a survey commissioned and paid for by the seller.
Government Announces Phased Hip Roll-out to Begin with Energy Certificates DCLG News Release 18 July 2006 The Government today announced plans for the introduction of Energy Performance Certificates as part of the phased roll-out of Home Information Packs to help consumers cut costs and waste when buying a home and help the environment too.
In the light of the plans for testing and concerns about the readiness of industry, the Government announced new proposals to phase the introduction of HIPs, prioritising the delivery of energy efficiency information with further testing later this year on the other aspects of HIPs.
This means that HIPs will be introduced in June next year with searches and energy performance information, enabling buyers and sellers to get A-G ratings on their homes similar to fridge ratings as well as a list of practical measures to cut their fuel bills and carbon emissions at the same time.