Latest News and Events!

EPC's will hit commercial property sales from next week 25th September 2008 Many commercial property transactions which have been delayed by financing difficulties and are still in the pipeline months after they should have completed may fall foul of the introduction of mandatory energy performance certificates (EPCs) for commercial buildings next week, which will be a fresh blow to the depressed property market, a leading law firm has said. From 1 October, all commercial buildings marketed for sale or letting will need an EPC, grading their energy efficiency. The estimated cost of a certificate ranges from £1,500 for a small shop to £50,000 for a shopping centre. Catherine Diggle, partner at law firm LG, said: “The commercial property market is already depressed and the need to produce EPCs will be seen as an unwelcome and potentially significant extra cost at an already very difficult time.” Diggle also criticised the government for failing to clarify its position on “not-for-value transactions” - certain deals that may be exempted from the EPC rule. “The commercial property market is already depressed and the need to produce EPCs will be seen as an unwelcome and potentially significant extra cost at an already very difficult time” She said: “There is an exception for 'not-for-value transactions' dependant on the individual circumstances, but it is not clear what this actually means as clarification is awaited from the DCLG. “It may not extend to the sale of properties by insolvent companies at a nil price, which will cause difficulties for administrators and receivers, particularly as the costs could be significant and cannot be recovered from the buyer.” Diggle said it would be “risky” to assume that transfers of commercial properties where no money changes hands are not required to get EPCs. UK BUSINESS PROPERTY Read More >>

Other recent News Items!

EPC's will hit commercial property sales from next week 25th September 2008 Many commercial property transactions which have been delayed by financing difficulties and are still in the pipeline months after they should have completed may fall foul of the introduction of mandatory energy performance certificates (EPCs) for commercial buildings next week, which will be a fresh blow to the depressed property market, a leading law firm has said. From 1 October, all commercial buildings marketed for sale or letting will need an EPC, grading their energy efficiency. The estimated cost of a certificate ranges from £1,500 for a small shop to £50,000 for a shopping centre.

Home Information Packs - benefiting consumers 8th May 2008 The Government today announced a package of measures to help ensure consumers are seeing the vital information in Home Information Packs and are receiving a higher standard of service in the home buying and selling process.

New regulations coming into force for new homes 14th March 2008 The Housing Act 2004 (Commencement No.11) (England and Wales) Order 2008 was made on 13 March and comes into force on 6 April 2008. This completes the application of HIPs to all new build properties. The HIP duties currently apply to all types of property sale, including the sale of new homes but excluding homes built under the most recent Building Regulations (i.e. Regulation 17C of the Building Regulations 2006). We have previously announced the intention to extend the HIP duties to these properties from 6th April, when the requirement under the 2007 EPBD Regulation for all new homes to have a SAP-based EPC on construction come into effect, and the Order achieves this

Hips reduce speculative marketing 29th January 2008 The government's home information pack scheme (Hip) scheme has begun to make an impact on the property market, with a fall in the number of speculative sellers in decline. According to AA Legal Services the Hip scheme has "undoubtedly reduced speculative marketing" – potentially to the benefit of the market. "Hips naturally focus the mind of the seller before marketing their property," said James Molloy, product manager for AA Legal Services. "We hope that now only those who have a genuine, considered desire to sell their property enter the market at the front end, and Hips have undoubtedly reduced speculative marketing." Hips were made compulsory for all properties from December 14th, completing a three-stage rollout process. And their impact is likely to be positive in the long term, according to the AA.

AHIPP comments on the Communities and Local Government Annual Report released today 3rd January 2008 Mike Ockenden, Director General, Association of Home Information Pack Providers (AHIPP), comments on the Communities and Local Government Annual Report released today: “The CLG Select Committee report issued today clearly supports the message that AHIPP consistently emphasised over the latter months of 2007- that the roll out of HIPs could have happened far quicker than actually occurred. We cannot change the past, however and with HIPs clearly not having the detrimental impact on the market that many forecast, it is time to move on. “Now that the full roll out is completed, we look forward to working with Government and other stakeholders on improving the pack to make it ‘exchange ready’. This means that a buyer who has an offer accepted can pass the pack to his or her lawyer who can rely on the contents and move quickly to exchange of contracts. “In particular this must include making the Home Condition Report (HCR) mandatory. Ministers have repeatedly said that if the voluntary take up of HCRs is not effective then it remains on the table to make them mandatory. HCR take up has been minimal on a voluntary basis and Ministers now need to deliver on their assurance to make them mandatory within a HIP.”

Roll-out of Hips puts properties on the market 24th December 2007 Buyers rushed to beat the introduction of Home Information Packs (Hips) as more and more properties came onto the market before the December 14th deadline, it has been claimed. The latest research from the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) has revealed that the number of properties on agents' books during November had increased. Members of the organisation reported an average of 77 properties for sale in November, compared with 65 in October. However, the number of sales agreed per agent was down in November, on average nine sales were reported per agent compared with ten during October as the festive slowdown continued.

Energy Performance Certificate - The Home Information Pack 21st December 2007 According to the new law which would be introduced in April 2008, all the commercial buildings that are above 500sqm would need to get an Energy Performance Certificate. The certificate states the energy efficient of your home. The ratings are given on a scale of A to G where ‘A’ rate is given to the residence with the highest efficiency while the homes with the ‘G’ rating have the lowest efficiency. The Energy Performance Certificate also helps you to know the impact your house may be having on the environment. The homes with good energy efficiency do not pose a threat to the environment while a residence with low energy efficiency has adverse effect on the environment. This is because the latter would emit a lot of carbon in the atmosphere. If you are buying or selling a house then you need to get a home information pack. This home information Pack would consists of important documents and other useful information for the buyer and the seller. These Home Information Packs includes the Energy Performance Certificates, information regarding the property and other useful documents. If you are selling a property to someone then you need to provide the new buyer with the Energy Performance Certificate. You can contact an accredited Energy Performance Certificate specialist who can analyse the property and provide you with the certificate. For this you can contact Wilbourn Associates who are the leading environment consultants in UK. They have the required accreditation and would help you in obtaining the certificate. The Energy Performance Certificate assessors would survey

Hidden costs in “free” sole-agency Hips 17th December 2007 Following the full roll-out of Home Information Packs (Hips) last week, the BBC’s money Box programme has pointed out that house sellers who sign up for a free or discounted Hip with their estate agent could be liable for a charge, if they withdraw their property from the market or change agent. Estate agents maintain that the charges, which are frequently between £400 and £500, reflect the costs that have been incurred in preparing the Hip. However, the average price most vendors are being charged for the packs is between £300 and £400 for a freehold property.

HIPs get full roll out 12nd December 2007 Home information packs (Hips) will be required for all properties being sold in England and Wales from 14 December, the government has announced. Since September, all properties with three or more bedrooms have required a Hip before they can be sold. The packs have proved controversial, with many critics claiming that they have made it more difficult and expensive to sell property. The government insists the packs are bringing benefits to consumers. The average cost of a Hip is between £300 and £350.

Delay to 'First Day Marketing' deemed necessary 16th November 2007 Paul Broadhead, Deputy Director General, Association of Home Information Pack Providers (AHIPP), comments on the speculation surrounding ‘First Day Marketing’ of Home Information Packs (HIPs): “I remain confident that we will see Home Information Packs (HIPs) extended to one and two bedroom homes by the end of the year

AHIPP comments on the warning from RICS 13rd November 2007 “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.

AHIPP comments on Energy Saving Week which starts today 22nd October 2007 Mike Ockenden, Director General of Association of Home Information Pack Providers (AHIPP), comments on Energy Saving Week which starts today: “This week’s focus on saving energy and climate change is very timely with our own awareness campaign on the importance of the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) as part of the Home Information Pack (HIP).

Home information packs are forcing people to think about energy efficiency 15th October 2007 Home information packs (HIP’s) are still not being seen by house sellers and buyers as adding any value to the sales process, however it does seem that they are forcing people to think about improving the energy efficiency of their home.

Green findings - Energy Performance Certificates and Home Information Packs 28th September 2007 Average four bedroom homes are getting an ´E´ energy rating, according to a survey from the introduction of Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) and Home Information Packs (HIPs). New information six weeks after the launch of EPCs and HIPs, shows that average four bedroom homes and above could save hundreds of pounds off heating, lighting, and water bills.

Government must address implementation problems 27th September 2007 Law Society vice president Paul Marsh met Housing Minister Yvette Cooper on 10 September to express his continuing concern about a number of important issues relating to the implementation of the HIPs programme. He reiterated his concern about the burden being placed on solicitors acting for buyers and lenders by the cavalier use of inadequate personal searches by some HIP providers. He also warned that HIPs could skew the conveyancing market and could encourage the improper use of referral fees, possibly creating a lack of transparency and choice for consumers. Contents The Law Society's HIP HIPs handling guide Conveyancing handbook Revised forms Events Marketing HIPs Estate agents Register for free e-mail alerts Regulations Policy Law Society's Property Section Further information and advice The meeting took place on the day HIPs were extended to include three bedroom homes which means that HIPs are now required for about 60 per cent of the residential market.

AHIPP URGES GOVERNMENT TO COMPLETE ROLL OUT OF HIPS FOR REMAINING HOUSING STOCK 26th September 2007 Since Home Information Packs (HIPs) were implemented for all properties in England and Wales with three bedrooms or more two weeks' ago, HIPs have been delivered to consumers efficiently and professionally by the new HIP provider industry. Now the Association of Home Information Pack Providers (AHIPP) urges the Housing Minister, Yvette Cooper, to lay down the commencement order to extend the rollout to all remaining properties.

HIPs: raising as many queries as they answer! 12nd September 2007 WELL, they may have been a long time coming but, during August, you have all had a chance to get used to Home Information Packs.

PAUL BROADHEAD RESPONDS TO COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT GREEN FINDINGS 11st September 2007 PAUL BROADHEAD RESPONDS TO COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT GREEN FINDINGS Posted: 11th September 2007 “Today’s Government report is testament to the energy efficiency improvements that could be made to the UK’s housing stock, as a result of the EPC included in HIPs. “Energy efficiency ratings within the EPC range from A (the most energy efficient home) to G (the least energy efficient home). The fact that the average four bedroom home is currently recording an E rating demonstrates how energy inefficient our current housing stock actually is. “The EPC will prove invaluable in raising consumer awareness of the energy efficiency of our homes – highlighting the benefits of making a number of relatively low cost improvements, which could have a huge impact on reducing a property’s carbon emissions and fuel bills.”

MAJOR CONVEYANCERS CONFIRM THEY WILL RELY ON CONTENTS OF HIPS 3rd September 2007 Following recent controversy about the contents in Home Information Packs (HIPs) and in particular the use of personal searches, the Association of Home Information Pack Providers (AHIPP) contacted its conveyancing members to clarify whether they would be happy to rely on the contents of HIPs. The response has been unanimous to date that all conveyancing members will rely on HIP contents, provided that the pack has been produced by a provider that subscribes to and complies with the HIP code. AHIPP’s conveyancing members include a wide range of organisations ranging from large national companies to small local solicitor practices and are widely representative of the marketplace as a whole.

Hips extended to three-bed homes 17th August 2007 The government has said it will extend its Home Information Pack scheme (Hips) to cover three-bedroom homes in England and Wales from 10 September 2007.

Home Information Packs: Jobs at risk if home sellers are encouraged to bend the rules! 2nd August 2007 Long-awaited Home Information Packs have finally been launched today with estate agents warned they risk losing their jobs if they encourage home sellers to bend the rules.

Home Information Packs launched 1st August 2007 The government's Home Information Packs have come into force in England and Wales, amid claims that they will make house selling more expensive.

D-Day for home information packs 31st July 2007 LONDON (Reuters) - The controversial home information pack (HIP) scheme comes into force on Wednesday, initially only for properties with four or more bedrooms.

House of Lords debate 19th July 2007 The National Association of Estate Agents has called for the government to listen to the Lords and scrap Home Information Packs.

New Rules on Selling 18th July 2007 From August 1 2007, everyone involved in buying and selling a four bedroomed home will need to know about Home Information Packs (HIPs).

Communities and Local Government News Release 2006/0028 14th June 2007 Energy ratings similar to consumer-friendly fridge ratings will have to be produced for every home bought and sold in England and Wales from next June, the Government announced today.

Regulations laid to deliver EPCs and HIP´s 11st June 2007 The Government today laid the revised regulations necessary to deliver Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) and Home Information (HIPs) into the housing market on 1 August.

Enough staff for HIPs go-ahead 11st June 2007 There are now enough assessors for the introduction of Home Information Packs on 1 August, the government says.

Press Statement: ENERGY PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATES AND HOME INFORMATION PACKS 22nd May 2006 The Government is today announcing that we will be implementing Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) and Home Information Packs (HIPs) from 1 August instead of 1 June. The Government has also reached an agreement with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) on their judicial review of Energy Performance Certificates.