AHIPP confirmed the roll out in six locations across the UK has had over 120 local business, including 85 estate agents, sign up to offer vendors the HIPs.
AHIPP said the early roll out has been welcomed by many estate agents who wanted to get processes in place to ensure they are ready, ahead of the mandatory introduction next June.
Paul Broadhead, deputy director general for AHIPP, said: “The ongoing debate surrounding packs has not gone away but I am pleased to see more business are now becoming more proactive, regardless of their personal opinions on HIPs. The reality is HIPs are happening and the response we have received in the first six roll out locations strongly indicates that agents are now accepting this and are taking steps to prepare. Those that continue to bury their heads in the sand will be the ones desperately trying to catch up with the competition come the 1st of June next year.”
A number of Home Inspectors in the first six locations have registered their details with AHIPP over the last month, enabling AHIPP members to contact them to compile the packs for their consumers.
Brian Scannell of SAVA added: “The Certification Scheme formally registered some 70 Home Inspectors in the first month, all of whom are now fully qualified and ready to produce Home Condition Reports (HCRs) and Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) as part of the HIP.
“We have also had more than 150 reports registered so far and activity is increasing daily. Current Home Inspector registrations have predominately been in the early roll out locations and there are many more qualified individuals waiting to register as soon as the early roll out extends to other areas.
“Activity levels amongst candidate Home Inspectors have increased markedly since the launch of the early roll out and there has been a very high level of interest in the Domestic Energy Assessor qualification.
“I am confident that there will be enough Home Inspectors and Energy Assessors ready for the introduction of Home Information Packs on 1 June 2007.”
