A survey undertaken by movewithus, has revealed that more than 40% of home-movers have never heard of Home Information Packs (HIPs), which become compulsory from June 2007, and that they must contain an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC).The survey displays a worrying lack of awareness on the part of those looking to move house in the near future, with 83% of those polled admitting to knowing nothing about what HIPs and EPC meant for them, and only 15% feeling that they were well informed as to the issues involved. Since all vendors will have to produce an Energy Performance Certificate in six months time, it suggests that thousands of homeowners will find the marketing of their property affected by something they currently know nothing about.

Robin King, Director of movewithus said: “It is abundantly clear from these findings that home-movers are still ‘in the dark’ over what could be the most important change for decades in the way we move house.”