Final regulations for Hips published

The government has published final regulations for the introduction of home information packs (Hips) - an important day for the housing market, according to the Association of Home Information Pack Providers (AHIPP).

Mike Ockenden, director general of AHIPP, commented that it was "a big day for the housing industry" and that the regulations offered clarification and reassurance to the industry that the packs will be introduced on June 1st.

All homes put on the market will be required to have Hips, which will include information about the property and an energy performance certificate (EPC) which will state how energy-efficient the property is.

From October 1st next year, privately renting tenants will also get an EPC from landlords, the government announced.

The government claims that EPCs will help homebuyers save an estimated £300 a year on fuel bills if the recommendations are implemented.

Mr Ockenden said there was "no going back" with Hips and welcomed the regulations as "sensible and pragmatic".

However, property site PrimeMove.com claims that EPCs will be expensive and Hips will waste more than £150 million a year after their implementation.

Landlord Mortgages comments “It is interesting to note that landlords will be forced to increase their admin load by arranging for the EPC certificate to be in place by Autumn next year on all their Buy To Let properties.’

LettingAgent.com comments “I am sure tenants will be delighted that the new rules will help to keep their fuel bills down on the property they are renting.”

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