The Background

In order for Home Information Packs (HIP) to be introduced to the UK housing market, the Government required somewhere between 2,000 and 3,000 Domestic Energy Assessors (DEA), in order to provide the Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) that are an important part of the packs. When they, and the training providers that they’d authorised, announced this new role, thousands of individuals were quickly drawn to the profession, attracted by the promise of an interesting career with good earning potential, flexible hours and, for many, the idea of self employment. What, apparently, nobody was able to forecast was that:

1 The number of people interested in the role would soon far outweigh the requirement;
2 The HIP legislation would experience a delayed and troubled implementation;
3 The housing market would suffer its’ biggest downturn for well over a decade;

These factors, combined with the way that those businesses that controlled the distribution of EPC instructions largely saw the Energy Assessors who produced them as an easily manipulated resource, meant that the dreams of those newly qualified DEAs were quickly thwarted.

The New Dream

It wasn’t long before many DEAs realised that they could either wait around hoping that someone would offer them work at a fraction of the fee they’d previously anticipated, or they could work out how to offer the whole HIP and take control of their own destiny again. It was at this point that the independent pack provider was born.

It quickly became clear to this new group of property professionals that they were far better placed than their larger, national competition to meet the needs of their local market and, although competition was fierce, many of them managed to form the beginnings of good, sustainable businesses. This process, however, was far from easy and many new HIP providers felt that they had no influence over how their new industry was developing. What was needed was some way of grouping together in order to ensure that voices were heard, costs were managed and the benefits that independent HIP providers could offer were passed on to the consumer.

The Formation of IPPA

It was with all these principles in mind that, after exchanging ideas on an internet forum, a few newly established independent pack providers met over pizza in Leighton Buzzard one Saturday afternoon and agreed to create IPPA – a trade association that would:

• Provide a voice for their sector of the HIP industry;
• Drive down costs for members;
• Explore opportunities to further develop member’s businesses;
• Work towards developing the Home Information Pack as a truly integral & valuable element of the home buying and selling process.

IPPA intends to quickly establish itself as both a vital resource for its members and a recognised voice and leader in the evolution of the HIP legislation. It continues to work towards ensuring a successful future for its members and intends to drive the independent Home Information Pack provider to their rightful position at the forefront of a longstanding HIP industry.