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15th December 2008 CoPSO Welcome Private Search Exoneration
The Council of Property Search Organisations (CoPSO), the major trade association for the property search industry, has today welcomed the news from Birmingham City Council that it has completely failed to uncover any evidence that private search companies are using insurance to "short-circuit" the Home Information Pack system to save money.
.....more
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9th December 2008 Housing Minister announces measures to benefit consumers
Minister Rt Hon Margaret Beckett MP announced on 8 December a new package of measures to improve and simplify the content of HIPs
Housing Minister Rt Hon Margaret Beckett MP announced on 8 December a new package of measures to improve and simplify the content of HIPs and ensure consumers can see and use the information at the start of the home buying and selling process.
.....more
...........................................................................................................................................................................................
29th October 2008 Property Regulator calls time on flawed HIPs
PCCB cancels Registration of Search and HIP Provider
The PCCB today cancelled the registration of Consearch as a subscriber to the Search and HIP Codes of Practice for failure to comply with PCCB's Registration Rules......more
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2nd October 2008 Property Regulator calls time on flawed HIPs
The regulatory body for Home Information Pack and search providers, the Property Codes Compliance Board (PCCB), today reacted swiftly in response to an investigation into HIPs by Birmingham Trading Standards, which saw five out of six being classed as "unsatisfactory". .....more
...........................................................................................................................................................................................
Extension to the validity period of Energy Performance Certificates
9th September 2008
on Tuesday, 9 September the Government updated the Energy Performance of Buildings regulations for EPCs, responding to consumer and industry needs......more
...........................................................................................................................................................................................
1st August 2008 Consultation over the inclusion of the Home Use Form and Leasehold Information in HIPs
On the 29th July the Government announced a consultation period ending on the 30th September to review the inclusion of the Home Use Form and also leasehold information in HIPs.
The Government is considering introducing a Property Information Questionnaire as a document in Home Information Packs rather than a Home Use Form. It is also reviewing the leasehold information requirement although that requirement is currently suspended. An extract from the Government consultation paper follows.....more:-
...........................................................................................................................................................................................
Update re Energy Performance Certificates
29th July 2008
From the 1st October 2008 all properties being sold will require an EPC irrespective of the HIP regulations. This includes residential properties already on the market that do not currently require a HIP and sales by private treaty for example between family members. Commercial property sales will also require an EPC. Landlords will also have to produce an EPC if they are entering into a new tenancy agreement. Guidance contained on the appropriate Government website is as follows - .....more
...........................................................................................................................................................................................
Upgrade to an Exchange Ready HIP
10th June 2008
Many Hip companies are only offering to supply Hips containing the bare minimum to comply with the current transitional Hip regulations. Whilst this keeps cost to a minimum at the same time the benefit of having a Hip to both Seller and Buyer is also minimalist as once a sale has been agreed time is still being lost obtaining optional documents that could have been included in the Hip from the very outset. - .....more
...........................................................................................................................................................................................
8th May 2008 Government announces the extension of the temporary first day marketing provisions until the 31st December 2008
Extract from a statement by Caroline Flint Minister of State on the 8th May 2008
I am today laying amendments to the Home Information Pack Regulations to extend the temporary first day marketing provision, and to extend the temporary provision requiring HIPs to include the "Lease" only and to "authorise" other leasehold documents, from 1 June to 31 December 2008. .....more
...........................................................................................................................................................................................
New regulations coming into force for new homes
Wednesday 26th March 2008
The Housing Act 2004 (Commencement No.11) (England and Wales) Order 2008 was made on 13 March and comes into force on 6 April 2008. .....more
...........................................................................................................................................................................................
Despite rumours to the contrary a new HIP is required for a property taken in part exchange
Wednesday 21st February 2008
Despite rumours to the contrary a new HIP is required for a property taken in part exchange. This is particularly relevant to builders/developers .....more
...........................................................................................................................................................................................
Government announces new Guidance designed to speed up access to Local Authority records for search organisations
Wednesday 23rd January 2008
What Are Property Searches? .....more
...........................................................................................................................................................................................
Full roll-out of HIPs announced
The Government today announced the roll-out of Home Information Packs (HIPs) to all properties marketed for sale in England and Wales from 14 December 2007, whatever their size.
Thursday 22nd November 2007
Extract from the Government Statement
GREEN RATINGS TO BENEFIT ALL HOME BUYERS .....more
...........................................................................................................................................................................................
Press Release by the DCLG
Green findings - Energy Performance Certificates and Home Information Packs
Monday 10th September 2007
Average four bedroom homes are getting an 'E' energy rating, according to a survey from the introduction of Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) and Home Information Packs (HIPs). .....more
...........................................................................................................................................................................................
THE HIPS CENTRE IS READY TO GET MOVING FOLLOWING GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCEMENT
Friday 17th august 2007
Bolton based Home Information Packs provider The HIPs Centre, has welcomed the Government's announcement earlier today that Home Information Packs (HIPs) and Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) will be rolled out to include all properties with three bedrooms or more from 10th September 2007 .....more
...........................................................................................................................................................................................
HIPs go live 1st August 2007 for houses with four bedrooms or more ....
Statement from DCLG
New support for homeowners to get green grants
1st August 2007
A new system to help homebuyers get green grants worth hundreds of pounds to lower their fuel bills and make their homes greener has been announced today, linked to the introduction of Home Information Packs and Energy Performance Certificates. .....more
...........................................................................................................................................................................................
House Of Lords Debate HIPS Future Once Again
18th July 2007
Tuesday 17 July saw the House of Lords debate the future of HIPs once again .....more
...........................................................................................................................................................................................
ENERGY PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATES AND HOME INFORMATION PACKS
Summary of the Governments statements issued and the new revised Regulations to be laid before Parliament
11th June 2007
The DCLG published an open letter to prospective to DEAs and Home Inspectors
This was a letter confirming the DCLG's commitment to introducing HIPs on the 1st August and outlining some incentives for DEAs and His by way of assurance and comfort. .....more
...........................................................................................................................................................................................
ENERGY PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATES AND HOME INFORMATION PACKS
22nd May 2007
The Government has today announced that the implementation of Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) and Home Information Packs (HIPs) from 1 August instead of 1 June. The Government has also reached an agreement with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) on their judicial review of Energy Performance Certificates. .....more
...........................................................................................................................................................................................
Communities and Local Government News Release - Minister pledges support for low energy rated homes
18 April 2007
Extract from a Communities and Local Government News Release
Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) - A-G energy ratings for homes similar to consumer friendly fridge ratings - will be part of Home Information Packs (HIPs), which will be required for all homes being marketed from 1 June. .....more
...........................................................................................................................................................................................
Department of Communities and Local Government
29th March 2007
Home Information Pack Regulations
The Home Information Pack Regulations 2007 were laid before Parliament this morning. This represents a major milestone in the HIP timetable and the culmination of a significant amount of discussion with stakeholders to fine tune the policy. .....more
...........................................................................................................................................................................................
AHIPP states that there will be sufficient energy assessors
9th March 2007
The Association of Home Information Pack Providers says that its research has shown that there is not a shortage of energy assessors. .....more
...........................................................................................................................................................................................
AHIPP responds to the Council Of Mortgage Lenders call to postpone HIPS
21st February 2007
The Association of Home Information Pack Providers (AHIPP) rejects today's call by the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) for the postponement of HIPs. Mike Ockenden, Director General of AHIPP, said: "Today is the deadline for responses to the Government's latest consultation on Home Information Packs (HIPs) and it has taken the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) nearly a month to come up with its negative reaction to the consultation document. .....more
...........................................................................................................................................................................................
Boost for energy performance certificates to help tackle climate change as part of 1st June HIPS package
25th January 2007
Extract from a Communities and Local Government News Release
A new consultation published today will boost efforts to tackle climate change and promote energy efficiency by proposing estate agents must include Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) with their property particulars for the first time. .....more
...........................................................................................................................................................................................
The Council of Property Search Organisations (CoPSO), the major trade association for the property search industry, has today welcomed the news from Birmingham City Council that it has completely failed to uncover any evidence that private search companies are using insurance to "short-circuit" the Home Information Pack system to save money.
.....more
...........................................................................................................................................................................................
9th December 2008 Housing Minister announces measures to benefit consumers
Minister Rt Hon Margaret Beckett MP announced on 8 December a new package of measures to improve and simplify the content of HIPs
Housing Minister Rt Hon Margaret Beckett MP announced on 8 December a new package of measures to improve and simplify the content of HIPs and ensure consumers can see and use the information at the start of the home buying and selling process.
.....more
...........................................................................................................................................................................................
29th October 2008 Property Regulator calls time on flawed HIPs
PCCB cancels Registration of Search and HIP Provider
The PCCB today cancelled the registration of Consearch as a subscriber to the Search and HIP Codes of Practice for failure to comply with PCCB's Registration Rules......more
...........................................................................................................................................................................................
2nd October 2008 Property Regulator calls time on flawed HIPs
The regulatory body for Home Information Pack and search providers, the Property Codes Compliance Board (PCCB), today reacted swiftly in response to an investigation into HIPs by Birmingham Trading Standards, which saw five out of six being classed as "unsatisfactory". .....more
...........................................................................................................................................................................................
Extension to the validity period of Energy Performance Certificates
9th September 2008
on Tuesday, 9 September the Government updated the Energy Performance of Buildings regulations for EPCs, responding to consumer and industry needs......more
...........................................................................................................................................................................................
1st August 2008 Consultation over the inclusion of the Home Use Form and Leasehold Information in HIPs
On the 29th July the Government announced a consultation period ending on the 30th September to review the inclusion of the Home Use Form and also leasehold information in HIPs.
The Government is considering introducing a Property Information Questionnaire as a document in Home Information Packs rather than a Home Use Form. It is also reviewing the leasehold information requirement although that requirement is currently suspended. An extract from the Government consultation paper follows.....more:-
...........................................................................................................................................................................................
Update re Energy Performance Certificates
29th July 2008
From the 1st October 2008 all properties being sold will require an EPC irrespective of the HIP regulations. This includes residential properties already on the market that do not currently require a HIP and sales by private treaty for example between family members. Commercial property sales will also require an EPC. Landlords will also have to produce an EPC if they are entering into a new tenancy agreement. Guidance contained on the appropriate Government website is as follows - .....more
...........................................................................................................................................................................................
Upgrade to an Exchange Ready HIP
10th June 2008
Many Hip companies are only offering to supply Hips containing the bare minimum to comply with the current transitional Hip regulations. Whilst this keeps cost to a minimum at the same time the benefit of having a Hip to both Seller and Buyer is also minimalist as once a sale has been agreed time is still being lost obtaining optional documents that could have been included in the Hip from the very outset. - .....more
...........................................................................................................................................................................................
8th May 2008 Government announces the extension of the temporary first day marketing provisions until the 31st December 2008
Extract from a statement by Caroline Flint Minister of State on the 8th May 2008
I am today laying amendments to the Home Information Pack Regulations to extend the temporary first day marketing provision, and to extend the temporary provision requiring HIPs to include the "Lease" only and to "authorise" other leasehold documents, from 1 June to 31 December 2008. .....more
...........................................................................................................................................................................................
New regulations coming into force for new homes
Wednesday 26th March 2008
The Housing Act 2004 (Commencement No.11) (England and Wales) Order 2008 was made on 13 March and comes into force on 6 April 2008. .....more
...........................................................................................................................................................................................
Despite rumours to the contrary a new HIP is required for a property taken in part exchange
Wednesday 21st February 2008
Despite rumours to the contrary a new HIP is required for a property taken in part exchange. This is particularly relevant to builders/developers .....more
...........................................................................................................................................................................................
Government announces new Guidance designed to speed up access to Local Authority records for search organisations
Wednesday 23rd January 2008
What Are Property Searches? .....more
...........................................................................................................................................................................................
Full roll-out of HIPs announced
The Government today announced the roll-out of Home Information Packs (HIPs) to all properties marketed for sale in England and Wales from 14 December 2007, whatever their size.
Thursday 22nd November 2007
Extract from the Government Statement
GREEN RATINGS TO BENEFIT ALL HOME BUYERS .....more
...........................................................................................................................................................................................
Press Release by the DCLG
Green findings - Energy Performance Certificates and Home Information Packs
Monday 10th September 2007
Average four bedroom homes are getting an 'E' energy rating, according to a survey from the introduction of Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) and Home Information Packs (HIPs). .....more
...........................................................................................................................................................................................
THE HIPS CENTRE IS READY TO GET MOVING FOLLOWING GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCEMENT
Friday 17th august 2007
Bolton based Home Information Packs provider The HIPs Centre, has welcomed the Government's announcement earlier today that Home Information Packs (HIPs) and Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) will be rolled out to include all properties with three bedrooms or more from 10th September 2007 .....more
...........................................................................................................................................................................................
HIPs go live 1st August 2007 for houses with four bedrooms or more ....
Statement from DCLG
New support for homeowners to get green grants
1st August 2007
A new system to help homebuyers get green grants worth hundreds of pounds to lower their fuel bills and make their homes greener has been announced today, linked to the introduction of Home Information Packs and Energy Performance Certificates. .....more
...........................................................................................................................................................................................
House Of Lords Debate HIPS Future Once Again
18th July 2007
Tuesday 17 July saw the House of Lords debate the future of HIPs once again .....more
...........................................................................................................................................................................................
ENERGY PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATES AND HOME INFORMATION PACKS
Summary of the Governments statements issued and the new revised Regulations to be laid before Parliament
11th June 2007
The DCLG published an open letter to prospective to DEAs and Home Inspectors
This was a letter confirming the DCLG's commitment to introducing HIPs on the 1st August and outlining some incentives for DEAs and His by way of assurance and comfort. .....more
...........................................................................................................................................................................................
ENERGY PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATES AND HOME INFORMATION PACKS
22nd May 2007
The Government has today announced that the implementation of Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) and Home Information Packs (HIPs) from 1 August instead of 1 June. The Government has also reached an agreement with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) on their judicial review of Energy Performance Certificates. .....more
...........................................................................................................................................................................................
Communities and Local Government News Release - Minister pledges support for low energy rated homes
18 April 2007
Extract from a Communities and Local Government News Release
Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) - A-G energy ratings for homes similar to consumer friendly fridge ratings - will be part of Home Information Packs (HIPs), which will be required for all homes being marketed from 1 June. .....more
...........................................................................................................................................................................................
Department of Communities and Local Government
29th March 2007
Home Information Pack Regulations
The Home Information Pack Regulations 2007 were laid before Parliament this morning. This represents a major milestone in the HIP timetable and the culmination of a significant amount of discussion with stakeholders to fine tune the policy. .....more
...........................................................................................................................................................................................
AHIPP states that there will be sufficient energy assessors
9th March 2007
The Association of Home Information Pack Providers says that its research has shown that there is not a shortage of energy assessors. .....more
...........................................................................................................................................................................................
AHIPP responds to the Council Of Mortgage Lenders call to postpone HIPS
21st February 2007
The Association of Home Information Pack Providers (AHIPP) rejects today's call by the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) for the postponement of HIPs. Mike Ockenden, Director General of AHIPP, said: "Today is the deadline for responses to the Government's latest consultation on Home Information Packs (HIPs) and it has taken the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) nearly a month to come up with its negative reaction to the consultation document. .....more
...........................................................................................................................................................................................
Boost for energy performance certificates to help tackle climate change as part of 1st June HIPS package
25th January 2007
Extract from a Communities and Local Government News Release
A new consultation published today will boost efforts to tackle climate change and promote energy efficiency by proposing estate agents must include Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) with their property particulars for the first time. .....more
...........................................................................................................................................................................................