The coalition government has suspended the use of Home Information Packs (HIPs) by home sellers.

HIPs were introduced in 2007 in England and Wales.

The aim was to speed up the house selling process by obliging sellers to provide much of the required conveyancing information when properties are first put up for sale.

The packs are paid for by sellers and contain property information, title deeds, and local searches.

The requirement for packs will be suspended for anyone selling their home from 21 May, with the government needing legislation to outlaw them completely.

The energy performance certificate, which ranks the energy efficiency of a home with A to G ratings, will be retained and must be produced by the seller within 28 days of putting a home on the market.
 

Source: BBC News