Home Information Packs - Do you need one?
Home Information Packs (HIPs) are a requirement for MOST properties and it is the responsibility of the person who is responsible for marketing the property to provide a HIP.
The government on the 8th May 2008 announced that it is extending the transitional arrangements introduced last year which enabled properties to be marketed once the HIP has been commissioned.
As a result of this extension until 31 st December 2008, you do not need to have received your HIP before you put your property on the market.
However, the provision for first day marketing allows a property to be marketed without a HIP as long as the required documents have been commissioned and paid for (or arrangements for payment made) and there is an expectation they will arrive within 28 days.
What is a HIP?
The government have introduced HIPs in an attempt to improve the process of buying and selling property in England and Wales and to improve the environment through energy awareness. A Home Information Pack includes essential information about a property which was previously not made available to the buyer until later in the process. It also includes an Energy Performance Certificate, rating each property, and highlighting ways to save energy. By making this information available upfront, the intention is to speed up the process of buying and selling property. A Home Condition Report (similar to a survey) can be included as an optional extra, as can guarantees and warranties.
What does a HIP include?
The Pack must contain at least the following:
- Home Information Pack Index
- An Energy Performance Certificate, rating the property on a scale of A to G and suggesting ways to improve its energy consumption. This must be produced by a member of the Government approved certification scheme and includes an Energy graph which must be available with the property’s details.
- Sale Statement
- Standard Searches
- Evidence of title
- Additional information for Leasehold and Common hold sales where appropriate.
Additional documents which can be included are:
- Home Condition Report, similar to a survey.
- Legal Summary
- Guarantees and warranties
- Other searches.
- Home use/contents forms.
A Home Information Pack (HIP) is required to advertise any home for sale in England & Wales:
Still unsure then click on the following website:-
Official Home Information Pack website:
http://www.homeinformationpacks.gov.uk/
