Amid news that the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors are commencing judicial review proceedings against the Communities and Local Government department regarding Home Information Packs, the Association of Home Information Pack Providers insist HIPs will go ahead.

As planned, HIPs will be launched on 1 June this year and AHIPP are quick to point out the benefits that will come with them. It is claimed that the introduction of HIPs will not only help to greatly improve the house buying and selling process, but will include an Energy Performance Certificate to improve energy efficiency in homes as well as reducing carbon emissions.

Mike Ockenden, director general of AHIPP, said: “It is difficult to understand why RICS has taken this step against HIPS when they are in the process of training both Home Inspectors and Domestic Energy Assessors and in addition, play a prominent role within the HIPs industry, as a certificate scheme.

“I would further question why they are now planning to spend their own member’s money on pursuing an avenue which appears to go against the interests of so many of their membership.

“However, those who have trained or are currently training to become Home Inspectors or DEAs should not be concerned, this latest move will not impact on their future training or their future career progression within the HIPs industry”, he concluded.