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01/08/2007
Home Information Packs launched
The government's Home Information Packs have come into force in England and Wales, amid claims that they will make house selling more expensive.
The packs contain title deeds, local searches and an energy performance certificate, which will provide information on reducing energy consumption and making homes more environmentally friendly.
All sellers with homes with four or more bedrooms will have to provide the packs, but there are plans to eventually extend the scheme to all properties.
They will cost between £400 and £700 to produce and homeowners face a £200 fine if they do not use the packs.
The aim of the packs is to help speed up the process of buying a home by providing potential buyers with more information about the property before they put in an offer. However, critics of the scheme have suggested that it will make house-selling more expensive and will provide little benefit to buyers.
The introduction of the scheme was delayed by two months, due to a lack of inspectors qualified to produce energy performance certificates.
Opposition political parties and industry groups, including the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, the National Association of Estate Agents and the Council of Mortgage Lenders are all opposed to the scheme.
(KMcA/SP)
The packs contain title deeds, local searches and an energy performance certificate, which will provide information on reducing energy consumption and making homes more environmentally friendly.
All sellers with homes with four or more bedrooms will have to provide the packs, but there are plans to eventually extend the scheme to all properties.
They will cost between £400 and £700 to produce and homeowners face a £200 fine if they do not use the packs.
The aim of the packs is to help speed up the process of buying a home by providing potential buyers with more information about the property before they put in an offer. However, critics of the scheme have suggested that it will make house-selling more expensive and will provide little benefit to buyers.
The introduction of the scheme was delayed by two months, due to a lack of inspectors qualified to produce energy performance certificates.
Opposition political parties and industry groups, including the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, the National Association of Estate Agents and the Council of Mortgage Lenders are all opposed to the scheme.
(KMcA/SP)
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16 March 2007
Law Society warns on 'Home Information Packs'
The Law Society and housing experts have condemned ministers for failing to discuss the introduction of Home Information Packs (HIPs.) The Law Society described the government's plans to introduce Home Information Packs (HIPs) on 1 June as "incomplete, potentially very costly to the consumer and damaging to the property market.
Law Society warns on 'Home Information Packs'
The Law Society and housing experts have condemned ministers for failing to discuss the introduction of Home Information Packs (HIPs.) The Law Society described the government's plans to introduce Home Information Packs (HIPs) on 1 June as "incomplete, potentially very costly to the consumer and damaging to the property market.
18 November 2005
Government launches home information packs
The use of Home Information Packs by home sellers is to become compulsory from June 1, 2007, the government has announced. The packs, which were made law by last year’s Housing Act, aim to make house buying quicker, as well as reduce the costs involved.
Government launches home information packs
The use of Home Information Packs by home sellers is to become compulsory from June 1, 2007, the government has announced. The packs, which were made law by last year’s Housing Act, aim to make house buying quicker, as well as reduce the costs involved.
22 November 2004
New info packs set to end 'shambolic' house-selling process
The new Home Information Packs will put an end to Britain's "shambolic" home-buying and selling process, the government has said today. From 2007 sellers or their estate agents will be required to have key information available at the start of the process of marketing their home.
New info packs set to end 'shambolic' house-selling process
The new Home Information Packs will put an end to Britain's "shambolic" home-buying and selling process, the government has said today. From 2007 sellers or their estate agents will be required to have key information available at the start of the process of marketing their home.
17 December 2007
Fall Reported In House Asking Prices
The average asking prices from homes in England and Wales have suffered a sharp fall, according to the latest figures from estate agents Rightmove. Rightmove said that property asking prices had fallen by 3.
Fall Reported In House Asking Prices
The average asking prices from homes in England and Wales have suffered a sharp fall, according to the latest figures from estate agents Rightmove. Rightmove said that property asking prices had fallen by 3.
03 March 2005
Defra launches farmland conservation scheme
A new scheme enabling English farmers to be paid for environmental work on their farms is to be launched in the spring.
Defra launches farmland conservation scheme
A new scheme enabling English farmers to be paid for environmental work on their farms is to be launched in the spring.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
