What IS a HIP
EPCs and HIPs in East Dorset
What is in the Home Information Pack HIP?
Home Information Packs (HIPs) were introduced from 1 August 2007 to provide more information about a property at the start of the process, in order to help people make informed decisions about viewing or making an offer to buy a home.
Buyers should make sure a copy of the HIP is passed to their solicitor or conveyancer as soon as possible, so that essential documents, such as the local property searches, are included early in the process of transferring property from one owner to another.
It's worth remembering that the majority of sellers are also buyers, so most people should benefit from getting improved information at the beginning before any decisions are made or time is wasted.
A property cannot be put on the market until a HIP is available, with the following documents, as a minimum requirement, creating a 'basic' pack.
An index which lists the contents of the HIP and notes any required documents that are outstanding (for example, a local property search).
A Property Information Questionnaire (PIQ) with simple information that the seller should
know about the property including the risk of flooding, electrical safety and car parking.
An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) or Predicted Energy Assessment (PEA), which tells you how energy-efficient the property is on a scale of A to G (where 'A' is the most efficient and 'G' is the least efficient).
For new homes, sustainability information on the effect a property has on the environment in nine categories including energy and water efficiency.
A sales statement, which includes basic details about the sale including the name and address of the seller.
Evidence of the title which for most properties will be official copies of the register and title plan held by the Land Registry.
The following documents, if unavailable when marketing begins, must be included in the HIP as soon as possible, and within 28 days.
Two local property searches, which contain important information about the property on
issues such as traffic schemes, planning and building decisions that currently affect the
property and what might be about to affect it. These searches can be produced by either
the relevant local authority or a private search company. A drainage and water search
must also be included which is usually provided by the relevant water company.
- A copy of the lease (for leasehold properties only).
- Documents showing proof of title (for unregistered properties only).
More information and advice is available from www.direct.gov.uk/homeselling
Your questions answered.
How long does it take to produce a HIP?
It should take on average five working days to put together the essential information in a
HIP to be able to get a property on the market. The remaining information should be
provided as soon as possible and within 28 days.
What do I need to with the PIQ?
Sellers should think about the information they need to complete the PIQ as early
as possible to make sure their HIP is available on the date they want to put their
home on the market. Potential buyers will not be able to view the home until it is
on the market with a HIP that includes a completed PIQ. Sellers should also expect
to be asked for similar information by their solicitor or conveyancer at a later stage
as part of the selling process.
Buyers should think about how best to use the PIQ as a checklist for useful questions
before or during a viewing, such as asking about parking arrangements, council tax,
central heating maintenance, and service charges for leasehold properties.
You can download a copy of the PIQ from www.direct.gov.uk/homeselling
How long will the HIP be valid?
Once all the required documents are included in the HIP, sellers do not have to update
the pack unless they get a new version of a document. If a seller decides to take their
property off the market, they can put it back on the market with the same HIP as long
as this happens within 12 months of the date when the property was first put up for sale.
EPCs are valid for three years but searches and proof of title documents cannot be more
than three months old when marketing starts.
Who is entitled to see the HIP?
Anyone interested in buying a property can ask for a copy of the pack, or any part of it,
and this should be given to them within 14 days by the estate agent (or the seller
themselves if they are not using an estate agent).
There is no power in the HIP rules to charge for this, but a potential buyer can be asked
to pay a reasonable sum to cover the copying and postage costs for making and sending
a paper copy. There should be no charge for an electronic copy of a HIP.
Sellers should complete the PIQ and should also check the other documents in their pack
to make sure they are complete and accurate.
The seller will normally receive an electronic copy of the HIP.
Who will be responsible for enforcement?
Local authority trading standards officers are responsible for enforcing HIP duties,
including a potential buyer's right to get a copy of the HIP. They can offer help and
advice but can also issue a penalty notice of £200 to anyone each time the HIP
duties are broken.
The Office of Fair Trading can also ban estate agents and/or HIP providers who constantly break the HIP rules.
Information on how to contact your local trading standards department can be found at www.consumerdirect.co.uk.