To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if she will place in the Library a full copy of the Central Office for Information Strategic Consultancy report on the impact of home information packs. (103902)

The Strategic Consultancy arm of the Central Office of Information have not been commissioned to produce a report on the impact of home information packs. The COI were asked to advise on communications last June.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government on what date (a) energy performance certificates and (b) home condition reports will become mandatory before a property can be put on the market. (129067)

Energy performance certificates (EPCs) will become mandatory prior to marketing a property for sale from 1 June. An interim energy assessment will have to be provided from the same date for new build properties, and a full EPC for new build properties will be needed for these from October 2007.

Home condition reports (HCRs) are an authorised part of the Home Information Pack and we will continue to promote their roll-out from 1 June. The option of mandatory HCR’s remains on the table.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government which organisations, agencies and Departments will have access to the Home Condition Report database. (129253)

I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 22 May 2006, Official Report, column 1400W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether (a) a home information pack and (b) an energy performance certificate will be required to purchase an equity stake under the Social Homebuy scheme. (129233)

Home Information Packs are only required for properties put up for sale on the open market. Sales under the Social HomeBuy scheme to sitting tenants by housing associations and local authorities do not involve marketing and therefore do not need a pack. From October 2008, the provisions of the Energy Performance of Buildings (Certificates and Inspections) (England and Wales) Regulations 2007 come into force for non-marketed residential sales and for rental properties and an EPC will be required at that time.