3rd May 2007
Leading HIP provider responds to peer pressure
Lesley Sorridimi of leading Home Information Pack (HIP) provider HIP HIP Hooray today released a statement in direct response to the report from the House of Lords committee regarding HIPs:
“The negative claims made by this report are a result of the disappointingly limited range of people which the committee consulted. A spokesman for the committee this week admitted that it had limited its enquiries to surveyors and the building industry. The views of agents, consumers, HIP providers and environmentalists have not been listened to.
The committee’s suggestions that HIPs have been stripped of their original purpose and that Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) may be an inappropriate way of implementing European Union legislation are the result of this blinkered viewpoint. It is a pity that the committee missed the chance to consult with groups like AHIPP who are working hard to make the transition to HIPs as smooth as possible for both consumers and all parts of the industry.
It seems the opportunity to look at how the legislation could be smoothly implemented and address concerns of both the industry and consumers with real practical suggestions has been missed. In publishing a report with such a limited viewpoint at this crucial time the committee has risked damaging one of the most important pieces of legislation to affect households in recent years.
For years home buyers and sellers in England and Wales have been suffering from a broken process which the property industry has failed to improve. Regulation is stepping in to make the process smoother and more transparent and cut the problems caused by sales that fall through. This will benefit agents as well as consumers through quicker, smoother sales.
EPCs address two of the most pressing concerns in today’s society- CO2 emissions and rising fuel costs. This will give buyers the chance to choose and energy-efficient home and also encourage sellers to make environmentally sound improvements to their property. EPCs will help to provide more information about a property upfront and this can only be a good thing for the market as a whole.
A full debate on HIPs has been table in Parliament for the middle of this month. We urge ministers to concentrate on helping the industry implement the legislation and focus on making sure that HIPs fulfil their original purpose of improving the property industry for everyone.”
Notes to Editors
For more information please contact
Vicky Hoad/Patrick Irvine/Stephen Baker
Blue Rocket Group
01273 779 196
Vicky@bluerocketgroup.com
