From 6th April 2009 the government regulation changes on first day marketing of properties comes in to force. Previously sellers could commission and pay for a HIP and then start marketing their property for up to 28 days before the pack was available. This resulted in some buyers losing out by making decisions about purchases without the benefit of seeing the pack. However the regulations now require that on the first day of marketing, buyers have certainty that the HIP will be available as soon as a property comes onto the market.