The Government hope to introduce the legislation by 2007, though the idea will start being rolled out and tested in 2006.

At the time of writing a search at the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (www.odpm.gov.uk) using the words ‘home information pack’ delivers 81 references. A recent (February 2005) document at ODPM is described as Fact Sheet 7. Well worth a read if you are interested, and Gas-News likes to deliver pages wherever possible so people can read information and reach their own conclusions.

The HIP idea has actually been mooted for as long as I can remember, to help improve the process of a house sale. A major concern for years has been the duplication of effort inherent with a house sale, where several prospective purchasers may pay for a house survey and other significant expenses.

I have known people pay for an expensive house survey, only to lose the property following the relatively inexpensive mortgagee’s basic structural survey. As I used to do building surveys I can confirm I have turned away people requesting major house surveys, before the mortgagee’s survey had been carried out. Not everyone is as honest.

The new process is designed to enhance efficiency. That is the main engine for the proposals. Details of the Government’s many stakeholder consultations are included in the 81 references mentioned, if you want to sample varied opinion. Some of that opinion is also interesting.

So what’s new ?

Not a lot actually. Essentially the traditional processes have been reorganised but broadly remain much the same. Evidence of title, searches and all the usual stuff. Some processes normally carried out towards the end of a sale will be brought forward.

There is still debate about how to treat low value homes in areas where house sales are not traditionally buoyant. That is to avoid causing disadvantage to sellers.

Key to the new process will be a ‘home condition report’, within the HIP. In English a building survey but paid for by the seller, not the buyer. Reports will have to be prepared by recognised professionals.

Good idea ?

I think it is but you will have to make your own mind up.

I started a Home Information Pack years ago and keep that up to date. My HIP includes plans of the property, photographs, details of work done, improvements made and where appropriate, guarantees. I qualified as a Chartered Builder and have done much of the work myself, including a two storey extension, following planning permission etc.

The more work that can be supported by guarantees and other evidence the better. It will enhance future sale prospects, not least with any potential mortgagee. Receipts for my pre-FENSA double glazing work help establish the recent age of those items.

Terrain, Marley, Sandtoft, Polypipe, Baxi ? - These are just trade names which may be unknown to consumers. Another idea mooted at building college when I was a youngster was the idea of a ‘maintenance manual’. Whoever buys my home will get one so they know exactly what everything is, where it is not already obvious. Some new homes now include an information pack with the sort of information covered by a maintenance manual. That includes the manufacturers of plumbing, heating, bricks, roof tiles and other products.

My recent improvements include re-pointing, cavity wall insulation, a new mechanical dpc, all bricks below dpc replaced with engineering brick. My boiler will shortly be replaced by a condensing combination boiler. I re-piped the heating system last year to suit a condensing combination boiler. I have details of that as well. All useful information to enhance a sale.

The energy efficiency of a home will now be considered by the professional carrying out the home condition report, so the more supporting information supplied the better.

When I sell it will be incumbent upon me to tell the truth about everything, and that is the way it should be. Placing more onus on the seller is a component of the HIP strategy.

No certificate, no sale ?

Some misguided people have been broadcasting that the absence of ‘certificates’ will prevent a house sale. That is a lie.

It is true that the absence of some information may cause a delay with a sale but that has always been the case, long before the Home Information Pack idea was thought of. That will not change when the HIP is introduced.

If you are selling a home, the more information you can supply in support, the better. Contrary to what has been suggested elsewhere, certificates will not be demanded for what you already own. If you have any certificates that can obviously help a property sale.

Certificates will not usually have been provided for plumbing, gas or heating work done before April 1 2005 as that was never a legal requirement. In some cases Installers may have issued a certificate voluntarily anyway and that could be useful.

Documents normally provided by an Installer in connection with an installation of any sort should always be retained as proof of work carried out. That information can also be useful if you sell your home.

From April 2002 some additional plumbing and heating work has been subject to the Building Regulations. Work carried out by recognised Installers could have taken place without any formal Local Authority consent whatsoever being required. Paperwork supplied with the plumbing and heating equipment by the recognised Installer should be retained. That paperwork should prove a recognised Installer has carried out the work and that will help a sale.

Where a recognised Installer was not used, for example with DIY, formal consent should have been obtained for the work concerned. If formal consent was not obtained, it could be difficult to prove work carried out is to the required standard. That will not stop a sale but it could make a sale less attractive.

In April 2005 the Building Regulations changed again. Plumbing and heating work subject to the Building Regulations must now involve the Local Authority. Formal notice must be given to the Local Authority and a fee is payable. You should keep a copy of any Building Notice form as proof that you have obtained consent. Your Installer can also issue a certificate voluntarily but that is not mandatory.

There is also an alternative which may in some cases be cheaper. Corgi run a recognised Self Certification Scheme on behalf of the Government. Installers registered under that scheme can continue to self certify and Corgi will issue a certificate to say the work complies with the Building Regulations. The Installer will need your permission to pass on personal information to Corgi. The Installer may provide an additional certificate but there is no obligation to.

What will happen if there is no formal consent or certificate ?

Basically the same as already happens when any work subject to the Building Regulations is carried out without consent. Local Authorities have established arrangements for retrospective consents but a fee is usually involved. It is obviously best to avoid having to apply for retrospective consent as it may cause a delay when that can be avoided. It can also prove more expensive.

Other gas appliances

It will be in your own interests now to ask for a certificate from your Installer when any gas appliance is installed. That should enhance the sale of a home. It is not mandatory but it would be useful. Again you should retain any documentation supplied by your Installer.