Since the 14th December 2007, the law requires that if you are marketing any residential property for sale you must now produce a Home Information Pack (HIP) for that property. From 6th April 2009, it will be unlawful for the marketing of a property to begin unless a HIP is available. Edward Mellor can provide you with a Market Ready HIP within just 48 hours allowing active marketing to commence at the earliest opportunity.
A HIP will contain legal documents, including local searches and an Energy Performance Certificate. The main purpose of a HIP is to speed up the buying and selling process in the long term and to provide more information to the buyer from the initial stages. For details on how much HIPs cost, contact us to arrange a FREE VALUATION and we will be happy to discuss the many options we have.
Frequently Asked Questions about HIPs
What do I have to do to get a HIP? Nothing! There are many providers of a HIP but when you instruct Edward Mellor on a sole agency basis for the sale of your property we take of everything and will obtain the HIP for you.
What does a HIP contain?
- Index (of information within the pack)
- Property Information Questionnaire (PIQ)
- Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
- Sale Statement
- Evidence of title
- Standard searches (inc local authority searches, land charge searches and drainage searches)
- Lease (for leasehold properties only)
- Details of service charges (inc ground rent etc), building insurance, management company's details & accounts - for leasehold properties only
What is an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)?
The EPC provides an energy efficiency rating for a home. The ratings range from A to G, where A is very efficient and G is least efficient. The EPC is broadly similar to certificates found on many domestic appliances.
A certificate gives the building an asset rating based on its energy efficiency (it does not take into account how the home is used by the occupiers). The ratings are standard so that consumers can easily compare the energy efficiency of one home with another.
It will also show the building's environmental impact by indicating its carbon dioxide emissions.
All EPCs will be carried out by fully trained and qualified Domestic Energy Assessors.
Must I have a HIP completed before I can market my property?
The law dictates that the following mandatory documents must be available within the HIP before marketing can commence, but does not have to be completed.
Index, PIQ, EPC, Sale Statement, Land Registry Documents
How long will a HIP take to produce?
The time it takes to produce a HIP may vary, with 1-2 weeks being the expected duration for many Pack Providers. However, at Edward Mellor it is possible to produce your Market Ready pack within just 48 hours but this time is dependent upon the completion of your PIQ and access being provided for the Domestic Energy Assessor to carry out the EPC.
Is a HIP necessary if my 4 bedroomed property was marketed before 1st August 2007?
If marketed continuously from before the 1st August 2007 then a HIP is not required.
Is a HIP necessary if my 3 bedroomed property was marketed before 10th September 2007?
If marketed continuously from before the 10th September 2007 then a HIP is not required.
Is a HIP necessary if my 2/1 bedroomed or studio property was marketed before 14th December 2007?
If marketed continuously from before the 14th December 2007 then a HIP is not required.
What properties are exempt from HIPs?
HIPS are now needed for most homes put on the market with vacant possession on or after 14th December 2007. Exemptions include:
- Properties where there is no marketing (e.g. sale to member of your family)
- Non-residential properties
- Seasonal and holiday accommodation
- Mixed use properties (e.g. a flat and shop being sold together)
- Those with land over five hectares, either woodland, for breeding animals or agricultural use
- Sales of portfolios of properties
- Properties not being sold with completely vacant possession
- Unsafe properties and properties to be demolished
