UNCERTAINTY in the property market usually centres on economic factors such as interest rates and inflation. This year, whilst those factors are still prevalent, it is the introduction of the Home Information Pack (HIP) in June which could cause the greatest stir.

Government plans to require home owners to provide a HIP before their property is even marketed, have been met with little enthusiasm, but they look set to be introduced regardless of the concerns of property professionals.

A national HIP trial with £4million of government backing has forced a recent announcement that the HIP content is to be watered down yet again.

This follows the government climbdown last summer on the inclusion of the Home Condition Report.

The only mandatory documents are now key legal documents, mainly relating to title, and the Energy Performance Certificate. This is part of a wider policy aimed at targeting climate change through cutting carbon emissions.

Whilst it will not be mandatory for a HIP to include searches, there must be evidence that they have been commissioned.

What we will have is essentially a 'legal pack', a phrase which is being used more and more to describe the HIP.

Good agents and solicitors already encourage sellers to instruct their solicitor as early as possible in the conveyancing process to ensure that when a deal is struck the contract and supporting documentation is ready to be issued so this is not completely foreign territory for many.

The Law Society is promoting solicitors as best placed to put together HIPS for sellers and a number of agents at the top end of the market support this.

Some solicitors already provide a HIP service and it is likely others will introduce one before the summer launch.

For those sellers whose properties are already on the market at June 1, their properties can continue to be marketed without a HIP until March 31, 2008.

* Fiona McIntosh is a partner in the residential property group at Cripps Harries Hall LLP.