Home Information Packs were suspended on 21 May 2010, pending their outright abolition, which means all homes marketed for sale on or after this date will no longer require a HIP.   However it remains the responsibility of the seller to have commissioned, but not necessarily to have received, an Energy Performance Certificate before marketing can begin. All reasonable efforts must be made by the seller and their estate agent to ensure the EPC is available within 28 days of the property going on the market. An EPC should be provided to potential buyers at the earliest opportunity and must be provided to the purchaser before exchange of contracts.   If an EPC is not provided there is a fixed penalty of £200 the enforcement of which is the responsibility of Trading Standards.  There are also penalties for not complying with the duty to commission an EPC before putting the property on the market. Following the suspension of HIPs all EPCs will be valid for 10 years from the date they are prepared. For any further information regarding EPCs please call in to our office in Thaxted, email us at sales@carl-fisher.co.uk or telephone us on 01371 832270.