The Department for Communities and Local Government has announced that a commencement order has been made and all properties newly marketed for sale from 14th December 2007 in England and Wales will now need a Home Information Pack (HIP), which includes a home energy rating.
The HIP includes an Energy Performance Certificate, containing advice on how to cut carbon emissions and fuel bills. Also included are documents such as a sale statement, searches and evidence of title.
Currently, any property that was already on the market on the relevant commencement date (ie 1st August 2007 for sales of homes with four or more bedrooms; 10th September 2007 for those with three or more bedrooms and 14th December for all properties) does not need to have a HIP. At this stage no date has been set when properties that are already on the market will be required to have a HIP.
