16th November 2007-Home Information Packs continue to win supportersIn a time of uncertainty for the housing market, The Association of Home Information Pack Providers (AHIPP) has now reached 100 members.Despite Government delays, this demonstrates that the new industry is committed to the implementation of Home Information Packs (HIPs). STL Group Plc, a leading provider of personal searches in England and Wales as well as Home Condition Reports and Energy Performance Certificates, is the latest member to join AHIPP, and believes that now is the right time to be pushing forward the campaign to promote the benefits of HIPs to consumers. Along with Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs), HIPs aim to provide home owners with information to cut carbon emissions and reduce fuel bills. According to a statement issued by the CLG (Communities and Local Government), the top five recommendations given by assessors for improving energy efficiency include: cavity wall insulation, changing to low energy lighting, putting thermostatic valves on radiators, loft insulation, and double glazing. Currently only properties with three or more bedrooms are required to provide HIPs, although should it be proved that the strategy is a success, it is expected that smaller houses will also join that list. When plans for HIPs first introduced, there was a large amount of controversy surrounding the idea. For consumers wishing to purchase or sell their property, the news came as a further complication to what is already, for some, an elaborately time consuming and stressful process. Only time will tell if the addition of HIPs to the property transaction process will make a significant difference. However, this further addition to AHIPP. the trade body representing a wide constituency of members in conveyancing, estate agency, search providers and HIP providers, surely cements the idea that, like it or not, the implementation of HIPs will become a certainty in the future. Paul Broadhead, Deputy Director General of AHIPP, commented: "We are thrilled to represent 100 members from all parts of the home buying and selling process. Despite Government delays in the rollout of one and two bedroom properties, pack providers continue to deliver packs in an efficient and professional manner to consumers." Recent warnings on HIPs by The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) show that not all industry figures are necessarily in favour of the idea. However, in response to RICS, AHIPP stated: "The latest HIP allegations from RICS appear to have disregarded the many benefits that the packs will offer first time buyers - the most vulnerable of buying groups. With more information upfront and the costs incurred in gathering and providing information such as searches transferred to the seller, first time buyers will find their first step onto the housing ladder a more affordable and more informed one." |
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