Home Information Packs including Energy Performance Certificates are to be implemented on a phased basis from 1 August.

From then Packs will be required for the sale of four bedroomed properties and larger, with smaller properties being phased in as soon as sufficient energy assessors are fully qualified.

Until the end of this year, properties can be marketed as soon as a pack is commissioned and as a temporary measure Energy Performance Certificates can be up to 12 months old when a property is put up for sale.

See www.homeinformationpacks.gov.uk for more details.