“HIPs” required for 3+ bedroom homes

Posted 2007-10-13

HIPs, or home information packs, are packages of information which include energy performance certificates, (EPCs). 

Prior to September 10th, 2007, HIPs were only required for properties with four or more bedrooms. However, after the September date, HIPs were made mandatory for homes with three or more bedrooms. 

Mortgage broker, London and Country claims that EPCs seek to assist Britons in identifying the most useful improvements for them to make to their properties. The aim is to make homes more energy efficient, with an overall savings to be realized through homeowners’ efforts.

The additional EPCs are expected to result in more home improvements conducted by homeowners; in heating and cooling systems, appliance upgrades, improved insulation, and weather stripping, just to name a few. 

By requiring more homes to be presented with the HIPs and EPCs included, lenders are expecting an exponential growth in homeowners seeking secured loans to finance the upgrades.

With the increase in new HIPs requirements, a spokesperson for London and Country offered, “Overall we should see some improvements in the housing stock in the UK, in terms of energy efficiency - there is an intention there.” 

Home improvements can also reduce the ‘carbon footprint’ found from non-maintained, older structures.

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