The government has announced it will expand its Home Information Pack (Hip) programme to cover all home dwellings in the UK.

Hips were first launched for four-bedroom-plus houses in England and Wales on August 1st and were extended to three-bedroom properties on September 10th.

Their purpose is to speed up the homebuying process by making it easier for homeowners to access crucial information about the property they are purchasing - including title documents as well as an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC).

Dismissing concerns that the seller packs are too costly and cumbersome to put together, housing minister Yvette Cooper said broadening the scheme would benefit first-time buyers.

She explained: "Information such as searches for which they would previously have had to pay will now be included in the Hip - paid for by the seller, reducing the costs of the first step on to the property."

The Energy Saving Trust has estimated that by following the recommendations outlined in EPCs - such as installing double glazing - the average homeowner can save £300 a year on fuel bills.

© Adfero Ltd

Author:  Joanne McCabe

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