Issue 10 : 18 April 2007

www.homeinformationpacks.gov.uk

UPDATE ON 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.

Home Information Packs launches its re-built website

A new revamped HIPs website was launched on Monday 16 April. The new website has been completely rewritten with separate sections for industry professionals and a section for home buyers and sellers, making the website more user-friendly to each targeted audience. The home buyers and sellers section tells consumers everything they need to know about HIPs and how they affect the home buying and selling process. The section for industry professionals is tailored for each profession and provides all of the information they need in preparation for the change on 1 June. Click here to see the new site.

HIPs are happening conference

Housing and Planning Minister Yvette Cooper today delivered the keynote address at the Association of Home Information Pack Providers (AHIPP) HIPs are happening conference in London. To read the key messages outlined in the press release click here.
To read her speech in full click here.

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DEA numbers — what is the count in the lead up to 1 June?

The current number of Domestic Energy Assessors (DEA) in training has reached over 3,500– not all of whom will complete their course by 1 June. But in addition, over 1,000 Home Inspectors have completed training courses and a further 2–300 more are expected to do so by 1 June.
 
Current surveys of trainee assessor intentions and latest training numbers suggest there should be between 2,500 to 3,000 fully qualified assessors ready for 1 June.

A list of provisionally approved DEA Accreditation schemes can be found here.

HIPs national advertising campaign — new ads

Advertising Home Information Packs to the general public continues with adverts appearing in over 60 regional newspapers from this week as well as in the daily and Sunday nationals. Two new adverts (see below) will feature.

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These adverts will appear in national and regional newspapers, as well as online on property and property search websites. The campaign will run up to and beyond HIPs going live on 1 June.

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Direct marketing — latest mail shot and HIP starter pack

The second in a series of direct mail shots to estate agents was issued in conjunction with the Ombudsman for Estate Agents (OEA) at the beginning of this week. The mail shot covered specific aspects of the HIPs Regulations 2007 in so far as they affect estate agents. The mail shot can be found here.

A starter pack of marketing materials for estate agents to use in promoting HIPs to customers can now be ordered at no charge. The Toolkit contains examples of leaflets and marketing materials along with a CD of files which can be used to produce your own HIP related promotional material.

All you need to do is contact:
HIP Publications, PO Box 236, Wetherby, West Yorkshire, LS23 7NB.
Alternatively, you can call 0870 1226 236, send a fax 0870 1226 237, textphone 0870 120 7405 or
email: communities@twoten.com
Be sure to quote the HIP toolkit product code 06HIPI04196/EM2 when requesting your pack.

See the sample starter pack below.

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Update on the area trials

Approximately 3,000 HIPs, 1000 of which are in ‘phase 2’ - where the mandatory components of the HIP are free, while the Home Condition Report (HCR) can be paid for - have been claimed across the eight area trials since 14 February.
  
For more information on the area trials click here.