Home information packs (HIPs) will be launched in three stages dictated by the number of bedrooms a property has, the government announced this week as it published revised regulations.


The planned 1 June launch was postponed with eight days to spare and HIPs will now only be obligatory from 1 August for four-bedroom and larger properties, owing to the lack of assessors needed to produce energy performance certificates. Once there are 2,000 home inspectors and energy assessors, HIPs will be required for three-bedroom homes. When there are 3,000, all properties will be covered.



Law Society Deputy Vice-President Paul Marsh said: 'When you've dug yourself into a hole you should stop digging. All the government seems to be doing is buying more shovels.'



Catherine Baksi