The Government department for Communities and Local Government has today announced that Home Information Packs (HIPs) and Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) will be rolled out to three bedroom properties from 10th September 2007.
Following the introduction of the Packs for homes with four bedrooms and above on 1st August 2007, the Government has today confirmed there will be enough energy assessors to roll out to three bedroom homes next month, having taken into account the operation of HIPs in the market.
HIPs and EPCs will give house buyers energy ratings for homes for the first time, from A to G - similar to consumer friendly ratings for fridges. A further announcement on rolling out HIPs to other properties will be made in due course.
Communities Minister Baroness Andrews said: "We are now ready to start rolling out HIPs and EPCs to the next part of the market as promised, and improve a home buying and selling process which currently is not working for consumers or the environment. HIPs and EPCs can help families to save hundreds of pounds off their fuel bills, and cut a million tonnes of carbon a year. They also have the potential to reduce the millions of pounds wasted by consumers when buying and selling a home, by increasing transparency and competition in a process that hasn't changed for a generation."
