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As part of a series of further improvements to the Home Information Pack (HIP), consumers will receive more helpful information about their future home.

A new Property Information Questionnaire in the pack will provide a summary of information about their property in one place, helping buyers make decisions about whether to view a property, and ultimately whether to make an offer.

Making HIPs available sooner

It is essential that buyers are able to see information in the HIP as soon as possible. However, sellers can currently commission and pay for a HIP and then start marketing their property for up to 28 days before the pack is available, meaning some buyers may lose out by making decisions about purchases without the benefit of seeing the pack.

The regulations on first day marketing will change from 6 April 2009, to ensure buyers have certainty that the HIP will be available as soon as a property comes onto the market, and that sellers get to see the product they are paying for.

Expanding HIP content

Details in the Property Information Questionnaire (PIQ) will include flood risk information, gas and electricity safety, service charges, structural damage and parking arrangements, to help buyers make decisions on whether to view and purchase a property.

The new PIQ will go alongside other important information in the pack, such as energy performance certificates.

Better service

It is important that both buyers and sellers get a good service from professionals working in the industry, and know how the industry is regulated and where to go if they have concerns or complaints.

That is why the government welcomes the Office of Fair Trading conducting a comprehensive study of how the home buying and selling works, looking at competition between service providers and how consumer interests are served.

Continuing to explore more options for consumers

The government will work with industry to explore ways of making sure consumers have appropriate information about their future property's condition.

The latest figures on HIPs show that consumers are already benefiting from their introduction. More than one million homes now have energy ratings as a result of HIPs, helping home owners to potentially save money on their fuel bills and cut carbon emissions.

Greater competition in the property searches market is also leading to reductions in costs with some local authorities reducing their search fees by up to £120.

More on Directgov

• Home Information Packs
• Buying, selling and renting a home