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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Home packs face legal challenge | Home packs face legal challenge |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| The government is facing a legal challenge to the launch of compulsory home information packs (HIPs). | The government is facing a legal challenge to the launch of compulsory home information packs (HIPs). |
| The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) said it would seek a judicial review because the government had not consulted properly on the law. | The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) said it would seek a judicial review because the government had not consulted properly on the law. |
| Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly called RICS "anti-consumer and anti-green". | Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly called RICS "anti-consumer and anti-green". |
| From 1 June, homes put up for sale in England and Wales must have a HIP with title deeds and an energy performance certificate, costing sellers £400-600. | From 1 June, homes put up for sale in England and Wales must have a HIP with title deeds and an energy performance certificate, costing sellers £400-600. |
| "RICS has not made the decision to commence judicial review proceedings lightly," said Teresa Graham of RICS. | "RICS has not made the decision to commence judicial review proceedings lightly," said Teresa Graham of RICS. |
| "We have exhausted all the alternatives and greatly regret that we were left with no other option if we are to protect the public's property interests." | "We have exhausted all the alternatives and greatly regret that we were left with no other option if we are to protect the public's property interests." |
| Criticism | Criticism |
| HIPs are very controversial, with a host of housing industry bodies calling for a delay to their introduction in England and Wales. | HIPs are very controversial, with a host of housing industry bodies calling for a delay to their introduction in England and Wales. |
| 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. | 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. |
| On Wednesday, the introduction of HIPs is to be debated in Parliament. | On Wednesday, the introduction of HIPs is to be debated in Parliament. |
| Recently, a House of Lords committee described the opposition to the introduction of Home Information Packs as "striking" and "widespread". | Recently, a House of Lords committee described the opposition to the introduction of Home Information Packs as "striking" and "widespread". |
| Critics have said that the industry and consumers are not ready for the introduction. | Critics have said that the industry and consumers are not ready for the introduction. |
| In particular, there are concerns that there are not enough qualified people to carry out the inspections necessary for the issuing of energy performance certificates - a key component of HIPs. | In particular, there are concerns that there are not enough qualified people to carry out the inspections necessary for the issuing of energy performance certificates - a key component of HIPs. |
| However, proponents of HIPs and the government are adamant that there is no shortage of inspectors and expect the introduction to go smoothly. | However, proponents of HIPs and the government are adamant that there is no shortage of inspectors and expect the introduction to go smoothly. |
| Ms Kelly it called the legal challenge "groundless" and said the government would vigorously oppose it. | Ms Kelly it called the legal challenge "groundless" and said the government would vigorously oppose it. |
| "We expect energy performance certificates to save nearly one million tonnes of carbon each year by 2020," she said and warned that the proposals outlined by RICS would put this "at risk". | "We expect energy performance certificates to save nearly one million tonnes of carbon each year by 2020," she said and warned that the proposals outlined by RICS would put this "at risk". |
| Rush of sellers | Rush of sellers |
| According to April's survey of RICS members, the imminent introduction of HIPs is having a slight distorting effect on the housing market. | According to April's survey of RICS members, the imminent introduction of HIPs is having a slight distorting effect on the housing market. |
| Surveyors report that increasing numbers of sellers are listing their properties early in order to avoid the upfront cost of assembling the pack RICS report Q&A: Home Information Packs class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=6326&edition=1&ttl=20070516105449">Send us your comments | |
| Homeowners, it was claimed, are rushing to put their property up for sale before the introduction of HIPs in order to beat the deadline to avoid the estimated £400-£600 cost of a pack. | Homeowners, it was claimed, are rushing to put their property up for sale before the introduction of HIPs in order to beat the deadline to avoid the estimated £400-£600 cost of a pack. |
| Property marketed before the deadline does not have to have a HIP until 2008. | Property marketed before the deadline does not have to have a HIP until 2008. |
| The report said that new instructions to sell property rose for the second consecutive months and "surveyors report that increasing numbers of sellers are listing their properties early in order to avoid the upfront cost of assembling the pack." | The report said that new instructions to sell property rose for the second consecutive months and "surveyors report that increasing numbers of sellers are listing their properties early in order to avoid the upfront cost of assembling the pack." |
| As a result, RICS said the stock of unsold property had risen for the first time since last November. | As a result, RICS said the stock of unsold property had risen for the first time since last November. |
| Price growth | Price growth |
| Nevertheless, house prices are still growing in most parts of the UK and in particular Northern Ireland and London. | Nevertheless, house prices are still growing in most parts of the UK and in particular Northern Ireland and London. |
| This could increase the chances of further rises in UK interest rates, RICS said. | This could increase the chances of further rises in UK interest rates, RICS said. |
| "Last week's interest rate rise may not be the last as the housing market has not slowed as quickly as expected given the initial round of rate rises," Ian Perry, RICS spokesman said. | "Last week's interest rate rise may not be the last as the housing market has not slowed as quickly as expected given the initial round of rate rises," Ian Perry, RICS spokesman said. |
| The RICS report is in line with other housing market surveys from the Nationwide and Halifax, which have shown prices continuing to grow. | The RICS report is in line with other housing market surveys from the Nationwide and Halifax, which have shown prices continuing to grow. |