With effect from 14th December 2007, a Home Information Pack will be required for any residential property being brought to the market (until the Government's announcement on 22nd November, only 3 bedroom plus properties required a HIP).

In addition, first day marketing will still be allowed up until 1st June 2008, after which the HIP will need to be in place (and not just commissioned) before a property can be marketed.

Integra's Managing Director Michael Day said "At least this announcement reduces some of the confusion surrounding the introduction of HIPs and it provides a small window of opportunity for any sellers of one and two bedroom properties who wish to avoid a HIP to get their properties in the market before 14th December. Importantly it will make managing the HIPs process more starightforward as all properties coming to the market will require one.

At Integra we are able to produce a HIP and include it within our sales fee (together with conveyancing to provide a true one stop shop service and on the basis of no move, no fee) or we can provide stand-alone HIPs from just £295 plus VAT."

As qualified Domestic Energy Assessors we are able to produce the Energy Performance Certificates oursleves and our legal partners do the rest. It is all handled online and, as with everything else we do, aims to make things starightforward and stress free for our customers."