August 1st is the launch date for Home Information Packs (HIPs), but many estate agents are still confused as to their responsibilities and could face harsh penalties if they don’t comply with the new rules.

Estate Agents in England and Wales will need to ensure that anyone selling a house that has four or more bedrooms through them, provides a HIP. Failure to do so could result in the agent being put out of business.

"After all the delays, some agents genuinely do not think that Hips are going ahead... To go threatening to take people's livelihoods off them is too much," stated Trevor Kent, former head of the National Association of Estate Agents.

Home Information Packs are required from homeowners in England and Wales, who are selling a house that has four or more bedrooms, and includes information about the building’s energy performance, guarantees of any building work, proof of listed building status and copies of planning consents.

The plan was originally intended to be launched for all houses on the 1st of June, but was delayed due to a shortage of qualified people to assess the building’s energy performance.