The RICS has suspended its judicial review of the Home Information Pack (Hip) initiative, which was introduced this week for four-bedroom houses.

The review, which focused on the lifespan of the energy performance certificates (EPCs), has been stayed pending a government consultation.

The EU recommended that EPCs be re-examined every 10 years. The original Hip regulations called for them to be renewed every three months for properties for sale. The RICS said this was unnecessary.

The government has agreed to review the consequences and costs of their EPC plans before the end of the year. If the consultation is not carried out by the end of December the RICS will reactivate the judicial review.

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