Current Hips Regulations

Newly built homes are affected by HIPs but there are differences in the way the scheme operates for these properties, particularly in the way that energy performance information is presented.

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

New homes built under the pre-2006 Building Regulations are not exempt and will require a HIP. New homes marketed "off-plan" before they are physically complete will not have a full Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) as these can only produced following a physical inspection of a completed building. In these cases, the HIP will contain a Predicted Energy Assessment (PEA).

Buildings that have been materially altered or changed would not be classified as a new build as they are not covered by Regulation 17C of the Building Regulations. This means that conversions are not excluded from the HIP duties.

Where new homes are marketed 'off plan' there are likely to be differences between HIPs for these sales and those provided for properties sold as completed dwellings. For example, the searches for the property and title information may cover a wider area if the property has not yet been allocated an address and individual titles have not yet been created.

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