Ministers attacked on Home Information Packs

Property and legal experts have accused ministers of failing to take their concerns about the introduction of Home Information Packs (HIPs) seriously.

A group including the Law Society and Council of Mortgage Lenders said ministers had declined a meeting to discuss their concerns about the plan.

The National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA), the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) and The Law Society, wrote to the Housing Minister requesting a meeting to discuss their collective concerns over the proposed implementation of HIPs due on 1st June.

The Housing Minister responded to the detailed letter, refusing a group discussion with leading industry experts. This prompted a further letter, addressed to Ruth Kelly the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, also copied to the Prime Minister and the Chancellor, asking the Government to reconsider this seriously flawed and extremely rushed piece of legislation. The stakeholders are still awaiting a reply almost 2 weeks later.

The NAEA supports the Government in the introduction of the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), and is pleased to be an awarding body for the qualification of Domestic Energy Assessors (DEA). However, concerns remain as to the likely shortage of assessors in many parts of the UK by 1st June. It is the NAEA opinion that the EPC would serve best if it were to be produced before exchange of contracts, and that it does not need to form part of the HIP.

There is substantial public and property industry support for the NAEA position. In January, the NAEA launched an e-petition against HIPs on the 10 Downing Street website. The petition has received over 7,600 signatures, clearly demonstrating to the Government that these concerns are widespread and need to be taken seriously.

But the body which will represent firms providing HIPs said it had strongly reassured ministers that their introduction would be handled "effectively and efficiently".

"Calls from those who wish to see delays should be ignored by ministers, who should feel confident in delivering this consumer and environmental reform on June 1," said Mike Ockenden, director-general of the Association of Home Information Pack Providers.