The Government is introducing Home Information Packs in England and Wales on 1 June 2007 and anyone selling a property must provide potential buyers with a Pack. Every Pack will include an Energy Performance Certificate. The Packs will also include information such as searches and other legal documents. A Home Condition Report giving details on the condition of a property can also be included in the Packs on a voluntary basis.

On 21 September 2006 Yvette Cooper, Housing and Planning Minister, announced further details of how government sees Home Information Packs (HIPs) operating when they come into force.

The announcement stated that: 

• Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) will form a mandatory part of the HIP

• Government will be providing £4m for area trials to test HIPs

• All EPCs and any voluntary Home Condition Reports (HCRs) will need to lodged within a national database.   Government has chosen a preferred bidder to set this up.

• Government is pushing ahead with the approval of Certification Schemes

• A 'stand alone' qualification for Energy Assessors is being developed.

• The Department for Trade and Industry (DTI) has published criteria to assess the suitability of applicants to run redress schemes to handle HIP related complaints

Source: Department for Communities and Local Government's press release