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Home seller packs to be delayed Home seller packs to be delayed
(about 1 hour later)
The introduction of controversial Home Information Packs is set to be delayed by Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly.The introduction of controversial Home Information Packs is set to be delayed by Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly.
The packs had due to be compulsory for anyone selling their home from 1 June.The packs had due to be compulsory for anyone selling their home from 1 June.
The delay follows a legal challenge from surveyors which led to a judge proposing the energy efficiency element be left out "for the time being". The delay comes after a judge, ruling on a legal challenge from surveyors, proposed leaving out the energy certificates "for the time being".
The energy report had been an aspect of the packs stressed by ministers in the face of criticism the packs would cost sellers a lot, but not help buyers. Ministers have increasingly used the energy report to justify the packs, as criticism mounted that they could cost sellers a lot, but not help buyers.
The legal challenge from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors was based on what they said was a lack of proper consultation on the packs.The legal challenge from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors was based on what they said was a lack of proper consultation on the packs.
PACKS WILL INCLUDE Evidence of titleCopies of planning, listed building or building regulations consentsA local searchGuarantees for any work on the propertyAn energy performance certificate. Q&A: Home Information PacksPACKS WILL INCLUDE Evidence of titleCopies of planning, listed building or building regulations consentsA local searchGuarantees for any work on the propertyAn energy performance certificate. Q&A: Home Information Packs
There have also been concerns that there are not enough people trained to carry out the environmental checks on properties.There have also been concerns that there are not enough people trained to carry out the environmental checks on properties.
Under the existing plans 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.Under the existing plans 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.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.They would also ensure that the UK complies with an EU directive which comes into force in 2009.
LordsLords
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.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.""Now is the time to work with us in the interests of the housing market and combating climate change."
The Lords are due to debate the packs on Tuesday. A select committee has already urged the government to "seriously" consider the criticism it described as "striking" and "widespread".The Lords are due to debate the packs on Tuesday. A select committee has already urged the government to "seriously" consider the criticism it described as "striking" and "widespread".
HAVE YOUR SAY We have put our house on the market a month early simply to avoid the cost of these packs Laura Berbank, Medway Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY We have put our house on the market a month early simply to avoid the cost of these packs Laura Berbank, Medway Send us your comments
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.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.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.Housing Minister Yvette Cooper said 2,000 inspectors had already passed their exams, with another 3,000 in training.
Environmental campaign group Friends of the Earth called the energy performance certificates "a crucial measure that will help householders tackle climate change and cut energy bills".
Any delay to HIPs would "inevitably" delay the introduction of energy certificates, a spokesman said.
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.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".