Government news releases

8 May 2008: Announcement

Minister of State Caroline Flint today made a statement to the House of Commons on the implementation of Home Information Packs. Read a copy of today's press release on the page above and a copy of the statement here.

The Code for Sustainable Homes. 1 May 2008. From 1 May 2008 it is compulsory for every new home in England to have a rating against the Code for Sustainable Homes and for information on this rating to be provided to prospective purchasers through the HIP. The Code applies to new build homes only.

For more information go to www.communities.gov.uk/thecode

Trials highlight satisfaction with Home Information Packs and buyers acting on energy ratings: 6 March 2008
The Government today announced results from research by Ipsos MORI into the HIP area trials. See also: HIPs Area Trials - Research Report

Full roll out of HIPs announced: 22 November 2007
Ministerial Statement by Yvette Cooper: All homes marketed for sale from 14 December 2007 in England and Wales will need a Home Information Pack.
See also: Press notice

Press release issued: 10 September 2007
CLG has issued a press release marking the next phase of Home Informaiton Packs to 3 or more bedroom properties in England and Wales.

Press release issued: 17 August 2007
CLG has today issued a press release announcing the next phase of the roll-out of Home Information Packs. This means that homes with 3 or more bedrooms marketed for sale from 10 September will require a HIP.

22 May 2007: Announcement
Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly this afternoon made a statement to the House of Commons on the implementation of Home Information Packs and Energy Performance Certificates.
Read a copy of today's press release, the full Ministerial statement, and updated Q&A on the page above.

16th May 2007: Debate in House of Commons
In today's Commons Debate on HIPs, Housing Minister Yvette Cooper strongly defended HIPs and the important of including Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs), saying they are vital in helping to tackle climate change while the Packs give home-buyers more information upfront about their new home and cut costs for first-time buyers. The Government won the vote.

11 May 2007: Home Information Pack Regulations 2007 Procedural Guidance (PDF)
The procedural guidance to the HIP Regulations 2007 is now available. The guidance is intended to provide help on interpretation of the regulations and will be of particular interest to those who are directly involved in the production of the Home Information Packs.

18 April 2007: Minister pledges support for low energy rated homes
Read all about Yvette Cooper's speech about how first-time buyers could benefit from grants to help improve the energy efficiency of their homes...

18 April 2007: HIPs are Happening
Yvette Cooper delivered a speech at the second AHIPP Spring Conference - HIPs Are Happening. Read the full text on our industry site. This will open up in a new window...

29 March 2007: Update on the Regulations and our national advertising campaign
Read all about the Regulations and more in our latest version of our e-newsletter, Progress...

29 March 2007: Home Information Pack Regulations 2007
The revised Home Information Pack Regulations were laid before Parliament this morning. Find out more on our Regulations page (this will link to our Industry site in a new window)...

19 March 2007: Our national consumer campaign is due to launch 25 March
Find out how about all our publicity work in the latest version of our e-newsletter, Progress...

2 March 2007: Ombudsman for Estate Agents and their bid to run the HIPs redress scheme
Find out about the Ombudsman for Estate Agents and their bid to run the HIPs redress scheme and more, in our latest version of our e-newsletter, Progress...

25 Jan 07: Boost for energy performance certificates to help tackle climate change as part of 1st June HIPS package
A new consultation published today will boost efforts to tackle climate change and promote energy efficiency by proposing estate agents must include Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) with their property particulars for the first time...

21 Sept 06: Cooper calls for incentives to improve home energy ratings
Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) should be linked to incentives such as green mortgages, Housing Minister Yvette Cooper said today. EPCs could also be linked to schemes run by energy companies which give homebuyers cash upfront to make energy saving alterations to their houses...

18 Jul 06: Government announces phased HIP roll-out to begin with energy certificates
The Government today announced plans for the introduction of Energy Performance Certificates as part of the phased roll-out of Home Information Packs to help consumers cut costs and waste when buying a home and help the environment too...

29 Jun 06: Response to OEF report and latest Q&As about Home Information Packs
The idea that the introduction of Home Information Packs will increase unemployment by 93,000 is simply nonsense...

14 Jun 06: Government launches compulsory energy rating for homes to cut carbon emissionsHousing Minister Yvette Cooper today launched the new Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) which will be an essential part of the Home Information Packs to be introduced next year...

14 Jun 06: Government announces action to boost rights for home buyers and sellers
Government is taking action to transform home buying and selling in England and Wales and boost consumer rights and benefits...

24 May 06: Minister challenges industry to reduce waste and risks for home buyers and sellers
Property businesses are being encouraged to sign up to take part in a dry-run for Home Information Packs to speed up the benefits for consumers...

12 May 06: Ruth Kelly comment on Home Information Packs
Home Information Packs will bring together all the information people need to buy and sell a home, to help them make informed decisions about what is probably the most expensive purchase of their lives. The Packs will especially help first time buyers as they receive the packs for free...

7 Apr 06: Home Information Pack activity accelerates
Government has set out today next steps to help homebuyers with the announcement by Housing Minister, Yvette Cooper, of details of a dry-run prior to introducing Home Information Packs (HIPs) on 1 June 2007...

16 Mar 06: Government timeline for Home Information Pack reform published
The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister published a timeline for the Home Information Pack programme on 16 March 2006. The timeline sets a clear path for Government and industry into implementation. The timeline was developed in discussion with stakeholders and will continue to be updated over the coming months...

17 Nov 05: Home Information Packs 'Go-Live' date announced
Home Information Packs, which are being introduced by Government to reform the home buying and selling process, will become mandatory from 1 June 2007...

25 Jul 05: Home Information Packs draw one step closer
The introduction of Home Information Packs - aimed at transforming home buying and selling - has received a boost with plans announced today...

15 Mar 05: Home Information Packs get overwhelming public support
More than eighty per cent of home buyers and sellers say the introduction of Home Information Packs is a good idea...

Yvette Cooper MP: Minister for Housing and Planning

Yvette Cooper, MP for Pontefract and Castleford, was appointed Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister on 13 June 2003...