A Guide to Home Information Packs (HIPs)

The Government has announced the suspension of Home Information Packs with immediate effect from 21 May 2010.

Updated information to appear here shortly

Why do you need a Home Information Pack?

If you are selling a private residential property on the open market, you will normally require a HIP unless your property falls into one of the following categories:

• Properties where there is no marketing (selling to a member of your family, friend or neighbour)
• Non residential properties
• Properties limited by law to use as holiday accommodation or occupation for less than 11 months per year
• Mixed sales (shop with flat)
• Right to buy or similar sales
• Sales of property portfolios
• Properties not being sold with completely vacant possession
• Unsafe properties or those about to be demolished

If it does not fit in to one of the above categories then from 6 April 2009, the ‘responsible person’ (in most cases the Estate Agent) won’t be allowed to market your property unless the Home Information Pack (HIP) is actually available and not just ordered as was the case prior to this date.

From 6 April 2009 the HIP must contain the following:

• A completed Index
• A completed Property Information Questionnaire (PIQ)
• An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) or Predicted Energy Assessment (PEA). Marketing can start without these documents, 14 days after their request, if they are not yet available but expected within 28 days of the original request.
• Sustainability Information (new builds only)
• A completed Sale Statement
• Office Copies and Title Plan or if unregistered a Search of the Index Map (SIM)
• If leasehold, a copy of the lease or confirmation that it has been requested and is expected within 28 days
• The searches (Local, Water and Drainage) and if the property is unregistered an Epitome of Title or Abstract of Title or confirmation that those documents have been ordered and are expected within 28 day

How long is a Home Information Pack valid for?

• There is no requirement for a seller to renew their HIP as long as the property they are selling remains on the market. In cases where a seller decides to stop marketing their home, they can go back on the market with the same HIP providing they do so within 12 months of the first point of marketing.
• Even after one year, if a property is taken off the market where an offer has been accepted only for the transaction to fall through, the seller can go back on the market with the original HIP as long as remarketing starts within 28 days of the sale falling through. If the property is not remarketed within 28 days, the HIP will need to be recommissioned. This is because the legislation sets limits on the age of mandatory documents when they are included in the HIP. It may be possible to reuse the Energy Performance Certificate as long as it is not more than 3 years old

Where can I get a Home Information Pack?

Seasons would be pleased to assist in this matter. We are currently compiling packs in association with a local solicitor and The Property Search Group.  Our HIP’s are fully compliant and once payment is received they belong to you. As soon as the HIP is complete we are able to transfer it electronically to your solicitor, yourself and if you are not using us to sell your home, your Estate Agent.

Once ordered how long it will take to compile the HIP?

Unlike most we have our own in house Domestic Energy Assessor therefore we are not reliant upon other companies producing our Energy Performance Certificates. As a result of this our HIP’s are often ready within 24-48 hours depending on access and the receipt of all the relevant paperwork.

How much will a HIP cost?

If you order your pack through Seasons then it will cost just £295 inclusive of VAT when payment is made by cheque/cash at the time of ordering. This price applies to registered freehold or leasehold properties in the Caradon area with up to 5 bedrooms. Quotes for larger or unregistered properties are available on request. We are also able to offer credit/debit card payments and a deferred payment scheme but these are subject to a small surcharge.

If you are letting a property or it is exempt from requiring a HIP and you only require an Energy Performance Certificate, these are available for just £65 inclusive of VAT. This price applies to all properties in the Caradon area with up to 5 bedrooms. Quotes for larger properties or those outside the Caradon area are available on request.

Finally

For your security and protection Seasons are full members of the Ombudsman for Estate Agents scheme and our Domestic Energy Assessor is City and Guilds trained and accredited by Elmhurst Energy Systems, a government approved energy rating provider and the largest overall accreditor of energy assessors.