Hips for all from 14 December

Home Information Packs will now be required by anyone wishing to sell their home from 14 December and Hand Morgan and Owen Solicitors, as a regulated provider, are ready to help.

In addition to legal documents and searches, the pack will include an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), which will outline the costs of heating, hot water and lighting in the home and also contain advice on how to cut fuel bills and carbon emissions.

The benefit to buyers is that if their home scores poorly in the energy rating scales, they will receive an offer of a discount or free help with energy efficiency measures from the Green Home Service.

It is believed that 60% of the market is already covered by HIPs after they were launched for properties with three or more bedrooms earlier this year.

For homebuyers concerned about the environment, HIPs will provide valuable information.  It is planned that by April 2008, all newly built homes will have EPCs as well as commercial properties for sale, rent or construction and by October 2008, all public building will have a display certificate.

For more information on HIPs, please contact Elena Round in Stafford on 01785 211 411 or Paula Bladen-Coleman in Rugeley on 01889 583 871.

This article is for the purpose of general awareness only and the law may have changed since it was originally published.  It does not constitute legal or professional advice and readers should not act on the basis of the information included.  Readers should take appropriate advice upon their own particular circumstances.