News - Home seller packs ‘to be delayed’

May 22, 2007 by kotoman

Critics say Home Information Packs will add to the cost of selling
The introduction of controversial Home Information Packs is set to be delayed by Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly.
She will “update” MPs on the packs, due to be compulsory for anyone wanting to sell their home from 1 June.

The packs, which include an energy efficiency report, have been criticised by the Conservatives and face a legal challenge from surveyors.

Critics say they will increase costs without cutting the number of home sales which fall through.

There have also been concerns that there are not enough people trained to carry out the environmental checks on properties.

Under the changes homes put up for sale in England and Wales must have a pack, costing at least £300, with title deeds and an energy performance certificate.
Energy performance certificates would give sellers and would-be buyers information on the property’s energy efficiency, as well as tips on how the energy efficiency of the home could be improved.

They would also ensure that the UK complies with an EU directive which comes into force in 2009.

Shadow housing minister Michael Gove said: “The government’s plans for HIPs are unravelling. Ministers must now acknowledge that they have botched this from beginning to end.

“Now is the time to work with us in the interests of the housing market and combating climate change.”

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott has previously accused the Tories of hypocrisy in not voting to support the packs, which he said would help the environment.
He said the Conservative had campaigned on a slogan of “vote blue, go green” yet failed to support government efforts to fight climate change.

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has also sought a judicial review because the government had not consulted properly on the law.

Green

Jeremy Leaf from RICS said last week the packs would make it “more expensive and more difficult” for people to put their homes on the market, as well as being less “green” than they could be.
Among its criticisms were that there was a lack of trained staff ready for the 1 June implementation and called for a delay of a few months.

Housing Minister Yvette Cooper said 2,000 inspectors had already passed their exams, with another 3,000 in training.

Liberal Democrat local government spokesman Andrew Stunell said “government incompetence…had botched” the packs’ introduction, but his party, like the Conservatives, still support the energy certificates.

Environmental groups Friends of the Earth, WWF-UK and the Campaign to Protect Rural England want HiPs to go ahead because the energy certificates “can play an important role in tackling the UK’s contribution to climate change, as well as saving homeowners money”.

source: BBC