2 March 2007
www.homeinformationpacks.gov.uk
PROGRESS TOWARDS GO LIVE ON 1 JUNE
We are continuing to make good progress ahead of the introduction of HIPs on 1 June. The purpose of this bulletin is to bring you up-to-date with the latest headlines, with further information available on the Home Information Packs website.
HIPs redress scheme announcement
Yesterday the Ombudsman for Estate Agents (OEA) announced that their bid to run a HIPs redress scheme has been approved by the Department of Trade and Industry. From 1 June all estate agents selling homes with HIPs will have to belong to an approved scheme, providing consumers who are treated unfairly with access to free, independent redress. Further information is available on the OEA website.
HIPs consultation: towards 1 June
The consultation into a number of adjustments to Home Information Pack policy closed last week with almost 300 responses received. We are very grateful to all those who took the time to comment. We are currently considering the proposals in light of the comments received and will issue a summary document, detailing our response, later in the month. This will be available from the Home Information Packs website. Full details of all responses will be made available shortly after.
Energy assessor roadshows
Our roadshows for potential DEAs are now complete and have been very well attended, with over 2,500 delegates. A range of exhibitors were on hand to explain training options available for both experienced and new entrants, the qualifications on offer from the 3 awarding bodies and employment opportunities post-qualification.
Presentations were given outlining issues such as climate change and the DEAs’ accreditation post-qualification. These generated healthy debate in the Q&A sessions. Approval ratings from the first roadshow demonstrate very high levels of satisfaction.
The accreditation schemes standards have now been circulated, and potential schemes are now able to put forward their proposals for approval.
Correction: The last edition of PROGRESS included an error regarding qualifications, omitting to mention that qualifications are already being offered by City and Guilds. We apologise for any confusion.
HIPs national campaign
Home Information Packs are currently being promoted in approximately 20 areas in local press and radio as well as national trade press. We will start advertising Home Information Packs in the general national press towards the end of March. Adverts will appear in national and regional newspapers, consumer magazines, as well as online on property and property search websites. The campaign will run up to and beyond HIPs going live on 1 June. Further details will be included in the next newsletter.
We are also about to commence a direct mail campaign aimed particularly at estate agents.
Dry run and area trials
More than 18,000 HIPs have been reported in the national dry run. Activity associated with the Area Trials is also progressing apace. The purpose of the trials is to gain the broadest possible experience of different types of housing market in advance of 1 June to ensure the smooth introduction of HIPs.
The key features are as follows:
- More than 1,800 free HIPs have been requested so far in the eight area trials, which started last November in Bath, Cambridge, Northampton, Southampton, Huddersfield and Newcastle upon Tyne. These were recently extended to include Southwark and North-West Wales. 60% of these HIPs have included a Home Condition Report (HCR)
- In the first 6 area trials the incentive has now changed, so that the mandatory components of the HIP are free and sellers will only need to pay the difference between the cost of the HCR and the EPC, should they wish to include an HCR in their pack
- The launch of the North-West Wales trial was held on Monday 19 February and was well attended by the media and local businesses
- Estate agent training events will be held in Southwark and North-West Wales on 6 and 7 March respectively, to help agents understand the benefits of HIPs to them and their clients
- Further information on participants in the Area Trials can be found on the website.