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According to the most recent figures, released today, there are now 1,321 fully accredited Domestic Energy Assessors (DEAs) and 678 fully registered Home Inspectors, ready to produce Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) required in HIPs, taking the current total up to 1,999.

This figure is just one short of the 2,000 assessors that the Government has specified will be required to ensure the successful implementation of HIPs for three as well as four bedroom plus homes. As a result, the Association of Home Information Pack Providers (AHIPP) is now calling on the Housing Minister Yvette Cooper to lay down the commencement order, which is necessary to extend mandatory HIPs to three bedroom homes, before parliament goes into recess.

Mike Ockenden, Director General, AHIPP said:

?Industry has remained committed to the successful implementation of HIPs and has clearly been successful in working towards the targets set out by Government. We are now just one energy assessor away from meeting the 2,000 target that will allow HIPs to be extended to three bedroom homes.

?I would urge the Minister to lay down the commencement order next week to allow HIPs for three bedroom properties to go live on 1st September ? exactly one month after HIPs will be mandatory for homes with four bedrooms or more. At the present rate of progress the remainder of the housing stock should follow soon after.?

HIPs and Energy Performance Certificates were due to be introduced at the beginning of June, but were postponed because of the shortage of accredited Domestic Energy Assessors. HIPs and EPCs will be introduced for properties with four bedroom or more from 1st August. The government said they would review when smaller properties would be included in the scheme.