Home information packs suspended

20 May 2010

The new coalition government has suspended the use of home information packs (HIPs) by home sellers pending primary legislation to fully abolish them. The suspension of the packs took effect on 21 May.

The energy performance certificate (EPC) is still necessary as it is a requirement of EU law. However, it is only necessary to have commissioned an EPC to be prepared before marketing and selling a property, rather than actually be in possession of one.

The obligations were under S162 of the Housing Act 2004. Full abolition of HIPs will require repeal of Part 5 of the Housing Act 2004 and the Rt Hon Eric Pickles MP, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, has written to Law Society chief executive Des Hudson stating that they will make this a priority for their new legislative programme.