They became compulsory on 1st August 2007 for properties with 4 or more bedrooms in England and Wales and will be rolled out to include 2 and 3 bedroom homes on the 14th December 2007. The aim of the Government is to cut carbon emissions from homes. This means every person selling their home after this date must provide potential buyers with a Pack. Failure to do so will lead to a fine.

The Pack includes an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) plus searches and other legal documents.

2. How will Home Information Packs help the current buying and selling process?
HIPs aim to reduce the stress of buying and selling a home by providing key documents at the time a property is put onto market. Currently this information is not normally made available until after an offer has been negotiated.

The Packs aim to increase confidence in the sale process from the start. Estate agents marketing homes with Packs will be required for the first time, to belong to an approve consumer redress scheme. This means more peace of mind and a better standard of service for consumers.

3. What is in a Home Information Pack?
The Pack will include the key documents that are normally required when homes are bought and sold. Some documents will be compulsory and others optional.

The compulsory documents include:
• An Index (a list of the contents of the Pack)
• An Energy Performance Certificate
• A sale statement (summarising the terms of sale)
• Evidence of title
• Standard searches (e.g. local authority enquiries and a drainage and water search)
• Where appropriate, leasehold information

Optional documents include:
• A Home Condition Report
• A legal summary
• Guarantees and warranties
• Other searches relevant to the particular area
• A Home Use Form
• A Home Contents Form and additional relevant information

Sellers are allowed to market their homes with an EPC, sale statement, evidence of title and index, so long as the other mandatory documents have been commissioned.

4. What is an Energy Performance Certificate?
An Energy Performance Certificates (‘EPC’) will tell home buyers and sellers about a home's energy efficiency - using A to G ratings, like those used to rate fridges and washing machines. A home's energy rating will be attached to the particulars, which estate agents give to potential buyers.

The Certificates will also make recommendations for cost-effective improvements that can be made to help cut fuel bills and carbon emissions. According to Government figures, homes currently account for 27% of the UK's carbon emissions, contributing to global climate change.

The EPC is prepared by Domestic Energy Assessors or Home Inspectors who are members of a Government approved Certification Scheme. The Government estimates that by following the recommendations in an EPC, an average of £300 a year can be saved in fuel bills.