Housing Minister Rt Hon Caroline Flint MP announced on 8 May 2008 the extension of the temporary provisions for first day marketing and leasehold requirements in the HIP Regulations from 1 June to 31 December 2008.

Commercial Buildings

As of today Display Energy Certificates (DEC's) are required for the construction, sale or rent of buildings, other than dwellings, with a floor area over 2,500 m².

New Construction - As of the 1st April EPC's are required on construction for ALL dwellings.

Commercial Buildings - From this same date Display Energy Certificates (DEC's) are also required for the construction, sale or rent of buildings, other than dwellings, with a floor area over 10,000 m^2.

New Construction - Sales of new homes built to the most recent Building Regulations (Regulation 17C, Part L, 2006) are currently exempt from the need to have a HIP. The current intention is to bring these properties within the scope of the HIP scheme on 6 April 2008 - the date on which EPCs will be required on construction for all dwellings.

First Day Marketing - Today an extension has been made to the temporary First Day Marketing provisions for an additional 5 months to allow for full flexibility (from 1 January to 1 June 2008).

First Day Marketing Update - As of June 2008 all properties being sold will need to have a Home Information Pack in place before the property can be marketed. Up until this date, providing an order has been placed for a HIP you are , by law, able to go ahead with marketing.

After the rollout of HIP’s for all residential properties the Government will be focusing their attention on bringing in all commercial premises, with the full rollout predicted to happen by 2009.

Confusion within the sector and poor trading conditions spark the industry to push for the introduction of HIP's to all properties by Jan 2008.

The industry has been swamped with DEA’s leading many recently qualified unable to find work and returning to previous employment.

The government move a stage closer with its plans to ensure every home being sold in the England has a HIP, by including all 3 bedroom homes as of the 10th of September.

All properties with 4 or more bedrooms being placed on the market for sale will require a (HIP) Home Information Pack, from the 1st of August.

June 1st launch of Home Information Packs is cancelled. HIP’s are being delayed until enough DEA’s are qualified.