Home Information Pack (HIPS) have been compulsory for most homes in England & Wales from December 2007.
For a vendor of residential property the HIP must be available and contain the following documents on the first day a property is put on the market:-
- Home Information Pack Index
- Property Information Questionnaire (PIQ)
- Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) or Predicted Energy Assessment (PEA)
- Sustainability Information (required for newly built homes only)
- Sales Statement
- Evidence of Title
The following three documents where unavailable at the time marketing begins must be added to the HIP as soon as they are available and within 28 days of the date the property was first placed on the market:-
- Standard Searches (Personal or Full Local Authority, Water and Drainage Searches)
- Copy of the Lease (for leasehold properties only)
- Commonhold documents (for commonhold properties only)
As a property cannot be marketed without the HIP already being produced it is essential that a HIP is obtained as early as possible.
Our Property Department at Jaffe Porter Crossick is able to take care of producing a HIP in a quick efficient and professional manner which ensures our client’s marketing of their property is not delayed. We charge a fee of £200 plus VAT for carrying out a HIP. This ensures the HIP is provided in both paper and electronic form and made available immediately to any potential buyer or estate agents. The actual cost of the components of the HIP will vary from property to property depending upon for example if it is freehold or leasehold, but typically will be in the region of just under £300.
For full details please contact Derek Payne at dpayne@jpc.co.uk or call on 020 7625 4424
How long is a HIP valid for?
A HIP once ordered is valid until the property is sold. If a property is taken off the market, so long as it is remarketed within one year of the first point of marketing, the same HIP may be used. This means that if a vendor has taken their property off the market because it is under offer to a potential purchaser, should that sale fall through for any reason the vendor will still be able to rely on the same HIP so long as the property is remarketed within 12 months of that first point of marketing. Where the sale of the property falls through after 12 months from the first point of marketing, a vendor has 28 days to put the property back on the market failing which one will need to apply for a new HIP.
The searches contained in the HIP are only valid for general conveyancing purposes for 6 months from the date the searches are completed. After this time any purchaser will need to re-do the searches themselves as they will not be able to rely on the searches contained in the HIP. There is no obligation upon a vendor to pay for the cost of the purchaser doing their own searches where those contained in the HIP are more than 6 months old.
Who does not need a HIP?
There are a number of exemptions from the compulsory HIP requirements. If you fall into one of the categories set out below you do not need a HIP.
- Private sales where there has been no marketing i.e. selling to a family member
- Non residential properties
- Properties limited by law as to use (e.g. holiday accommodation)
- Mix sales such as a Shop with a flat above
- Sale of Property Portfolios where more than one property is sold together
- Properties not being sold with vacant possession (e.g. subject to a tenant)
- Unsafe Properties and properties due to be demolished
- Properties sold through the Right to Buy, Right to Acquire or Social Home Buy Ownership Schemes.
Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
The Energy Performance Certificate is part of the components of the HIP. However even if your property is one that is exempt from the requirements of a HIP (see above) it will still require an EPC. Our Property Department at Jaffe Porter Crossick can order your EPC and arrange this for you with minimal fuss and inconvenience to you. |
