HIPs extended to three-bed homes

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

The Department for Communities and Local Government said it now had enough energy assessors for the packs and energy performance certificates to be rolled out to three-bedroom homes.

Since August 1, people selling a property with four or more bedrooms have had to compile one of the packs.

The DCLG said it was introducing the packs on a phased basis to ensure a smooth transition in the housing market.

It said a further announcement on rolling out HIPs to other properties would be made in due course once it had the necessary number of energy assessors in place.

The packs, which include an energy performance certificate (EPC), standard searches and evidence of title, aim to speed up the house buying and selling process by giving consumers more of the information they need up front.

They also aim to reduce the number of sales that fall through, with around 30% currently collapsing between offer and exchange, the equivalent of around 500,000 transactions a year, leading to £350 million being wasted in fees.

Communities Minister Baroness Andrews said: "We are now ready to start rolling out HIPs and EPCs to the next part of the market as promised, and improve the home buying and selling process which currently is not working for consumers or the environment."

The Government said a snapshot of the leading HIP providers showed that the packs were taking an average of five days to put together.

Many estate agents are including the cost of HIPs in their ordinary fees, with others charging between £300 and £350 plus VAT on an upfront or deferred basis.