History of Home Information Pack

As the idea of the Home Information Pack developed over time, so have the reasons for its introduction. A proposal to address the problem of gazumping was first made in the 1997 Labour Party manifesto.^[3] Research after the election revealed that around 28% of sales fell before exchange of contracts, with gazumping occurring in fewer than 2% of sales. The emphasis subsequently moved to the benefits of increased speed, transparency and consumer friendliness.^[4] The idea is based on similar practice used in Denmark.^{[citation needed]}

Home Information Packs were announced in the Queen's Speech in November 2003.^[5]

In March 2006 the government gave the go-ahead for multiple certification schemes. By this stage a number of organisations had expressed an interest in running certification schemes and over 3,000 people were already going through training for the home inspector qualification.^{[citation needed]} In June 2006 draft regulations were made setting out the detailed contents of Home Information Packs, rules governing the availability of packs, exceptions from the pack duties and arrangements for enforcement.^{[citation needed]}

In September 2006 the government approved the first Certification Schemes to oversee the work of Home Inspectors. The schemes are set up and run by industry. Government sets the standards that the schemes operate. In September the Home Condition Report Register contract was agreed. A fully operational register was scheduled to follow as soon as possible afterwards.^{[citation needed]}

In June 2007 the government announced they would fund or subsidise 5000 HIPs by £100 prior to the official launch date of August 1, 2007.

Originally the HIP was going to be required from June 1, 2007. However, just ten days before that date, Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly announced that they would be phased in from August 2007, and initially only for larger properties. Between 1st August and the 10th of September only homes marketed with four or more bedrooms were legally required to have an HIP. This was extended to cover homes with three or more bedrooms from September 10th.

On November 22nd, Housing Minister Yvette Cooper announced that HIPs would be rolled out to include one and two bedroom properties as of December 14th, completing the Government's phased introduction of Home Information Packs to residential homes marketed for sale within England and Wales.

First Day Marketing (FDM) is a term used to denote the mandatory requirement to make available all of the documents required within a HIP on the first day a home is marketed to the public. Initially, the date was set for the requirement to commence on 31st December 2007 but was delayed until 1st June 2008 to allow a period of transition. A home can be marketed during this time providing a commitment to pay for a HIP - including the EPC - is made and the necessary documents have a reasonable expectation of being made available within 28 days.

However, on May 8, 2008, Housing Minister, Caroline Flint, announced a further delay to first day marketing until 31 December 2008

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