With HIPs set to launch on June 1, the announcement by Kelly confirmed that the packs would undergo further testing, with HIPs launching from August 1 for four bedroom properties. HIPs would then be phased in following their revised launch date.
Responding to the decision, Sean King, CEO of movewithus, said:
“The announcement that the introduction of HIPs has been delayed until 1 August comes as a disappointment. Unlike many dissenting voices, we have been working with the DCLG to ensure that we and our agents are fully ready for the previous 1 June deadline for the implementation of HIPs. Having worked incredibly hard, we now face uncertainty which will make it difficult to maintain focus and commitment to the HIP legislation. Only an explicit re-affirmation of support from Gordon Brown will ensure we can secure support. The thousands of people in training to qualify as an energy assessor are bound to question the security of their future career which could be redundant before it gets off the ground. We remain fervent supporters of HIPs and recognise their benefits to home-movers, but the property industry at large needs to feel the weight of governmental support.”
Miles Shipside, Rightmove commercial director added: “The delay will be galling for thousands of sellers who have now pointlessly rushed to beat the 1st June deadline, and doubly galling for those in the industry who have invested thousands in preparing to meet it.
The staggering of the implementation lessens the dangers of distortion to the housing market, especially with the upward trend in interest rates potentially lessening the number of buyers.
However, this is yet another new set of rules for home movers, the industry and regulators to try and understand and implement. There was already confusion, and this late change now adds to the complexity.
We now question the wisdom of HIPs going ahead at all in its current form, as this is another major blow to the credibility of HIPs following the withdrawal of the Home Condition Report last year. Whilst this decision is very late in the day, there is no point in sticking to the June 1st implementation date if there are not enough qualified Energy Performance Assessors. With all the ongoing uncertainty it vindicates our decision to withdraw from being a HIP provider last summer, at the time of the first Government u-turn".
Darren Beech, managing director, Promise Homepacks, said: "The delay to 1 August for HIP implementation, and then only for four bedroom properties, is a recipe for added confusion. How do you determine between a three and four bedroom property - does the smallest room now revert to being simply a 'spare room'? It's madness."
