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Home info packs delayed to August Home info packs delayed to August
(10 minutes later)
The introduction of Home Information Packs is to be delayed until August when they will become compulsory for sales of four bedroom properties. The introduction of Home Information Packs is to be delayed until August - when they will be brought in for sales of four-bedroom properties.
The packs had due to be compulsory for anyone selling their home from 1 June. The packs had due to become compulsory for all home sales from 1 June.
But Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly told MPs the packs would now be phased in, starting with sales of large homes. The delay comes after a judge, ruling on a legal challenge from surveyors, proposed leaving out the energy certificates "for the time being". But Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly told MPs the packs would now be phased in, starting with sales of large homes.
She also said that initially sellers would only have to have commissioned a pack, rather than have a completed one, before marketing their property.
The delay comes after a judge, ruling on a legal challenge from surveyors, said the energy performance certificates should be left out "for the time being".
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.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.
Ms Kelly said the delay meant the packs would include the energy element, which would help to cut carbon emissions by highlighting areas where energy efficiency in a property could be improved. Ms Kelly said the delay meant the packs would be able to include the energy element, which would help to cut carbon emissions by highlighting areas where energy efficiency in a property could be improved.
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.
Ms Kelly confirmed that when she told MPs there were not going to be enough inspectors trained and accredited for the planned 1 June start date. Ms Kelly confirmed that shortage when she told MPs there were not going to be enough inspectors trained and accredited for the planned 1 June start date.
The plan is that homes put up for sale in England and Wales will have to have a pack, costing at least £300, with title deeds and an energy performance certificate. The idea had been that homes put up for sale in England and Wales would have to have a completed pack, costing at least £300, with title deeds and an energy performance certificate, from next month.
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 also 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 also 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.
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".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.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.