When do I have to provide a HIP?
If you are marketing a property which falls within the scope of the scheme (initially those with 4 or more bedrooms) then the HIP must be commissioned before marketing can begin. During this period the EPC must be provided before contracts are exchanged, although there is no set time limit on when the rest of the HIP should be provided.
If you are marketing a property which falls within the scope of the scheme from 1 January 2008 onwards, the HIP including the EPC must be available to anyone interested in the property from the time it is first placed on the market.
How is a 4 bedroom property defined?
A 4 bedroom property is defined as any property being marketed as having 4 bedrooms.
When will my 3/2/1 bedroom property require a HIP?
The date for the inclusion of 3 bedroomed houses was 10th September 2007 and the remainder of properties included as from 14th December 2007.
What do I do if my house was on the market before the 1 August?
Properties that are genuinely on the market before the commencement date will not need a Pack. This exemption will apply for as long as marketing continues but the Government may appoint a date at which all properties on the market will be subject to the HIP duties, regardless of when they were first marketed.
What goes in a HIP?
Home Information Pack Index
A list of all the documents contained within the pack
The Index provides a checklist for sellers, buyers, estate agents and enforcement authorities. Where a document that must be included in the Pack is unavailable, the Index must say so, give the reason it is missing, and indicate what steps are being taken to obtain it. Where documents are added to or removed from the Pack at a later stage, the Index should be revised accordingly.
Energy Performance Certificate
Energy Performance Certificates tell you how energy efficient a home is on a scale of A-G. The most efficient homes - which should have the lowest fuel bills - are in band A.
The Certificate also tells you, on a scale of A-G, about the impact the home has on the environment. Better-rated homes should have less impact through carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.
The average property in the UK is in bands D-E for both ratings. The Certificate includes recommendations on ways to improve the home's energy efficiency to save you money and help the environment.
Most sellers of newly built homes will have to provide a predicted assessment of the energy efficiency of the property, but a full Energy Performance Certificate should be provided to the buyer when the home is completed.
Sale Statement
The sale statement should provide some basic information about the property, including:
• The address of the property being sold
• Whether the property is freehold, leasehold or commonhold
• Whether the property is registered or unregistered
• Whether or not the property is being sold with vacant possession
Standard searches
The Home Information Pack must include:
• The local land charges register relating to the property being sold
• Other records held by the local authority on matters of interest to buyers, such as planning decisions and road building proposals. These are referred to as local enquiries in the Home Information Pack regulations.
• The provision of drainage and water services to the property
Evidence of Title
These documents prove that the seller owns the property and therefore has the right to sell it. Where the property being sold is registered, certain documents that are available on request from the Land Registry must be included in the Pack. These provide an up-to-date official record of who owns the land, and consist of:
• Official copies of the individual register (made up of a property register, proprietorship register and, typically, a charges register)
• An official copy of the title plan
Who compiles HIPs?
We will provide the HIP for you complete and as required above
I'm selling my house privately - do I need a Home Information Pack?
If you are marketing your property, even if it's just by putting a 'for sale' sign in the window, you need a Pack. Sales where no marketing takes place (e.g. to a member of the family) won't need a Pack.
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