Home Information Packs (HIPs)

I am selling my property – do I need a HIP?

From 14th December 2007, all residential properties (regardless of number of bedrooms) being placed on the market for sale require a Home Information Pack; more commonly known as a HIP.

A HIP is required to be in place or certainly commissioned when a property is marketed for sale by estate agents.  The purpose of the introduction of these packs by the Government is to provide the house buying public with more comprehensive information early in the process subsequently making matters more transparent, reducing wasted costs and abortive transactions and improving the speed and fluidity of the conveyancing process.

What should I expect to see within a HIP?

The HIP incorporates a pack of legal information relating to the property that you are selling to include the following: -

• Index of contents of pack
  
• A sale statement (summarising the details of the sale which has been agreed)
  
• Evidence of title such as Title Information Document
  
• An Energy Performance Certificate
  
• Searches (only local and drainage searches have to be included in the pack)
  
• Other title documents
  
• Leasehold documentation (if selling a leasehold house/flat)
  

The Energy Performance Certificate or EPC is a key element of the HIP and has been introduced by the Government as part of a scheme to increase awareness of energy efficiency and cut carbon emissions that come from domestic residential properties in accordance with European legislation.  The Government also intend to incorporate more environmental information in the HIP in future in respect of flood risks, ground stability, water efficiency and waste and recycling facilities.

The EPC can only be provided by a qualified Domestic Energy Assessor who will need to be instructed at the same time as your HIP is ordered from a nationwide panel of assessors.

Other documents can be included in the HIP should a seller wish this such as additional searches, guarantees and warranties and a Home Condition Report but these are optional and are not mandatory under the legislation.

Who is responsible for preparation of the HIP?

This is usually the Estate Agent, the solicitor or a third party provider.

As the HIP is essentially a legal information pack Harvey Ingram are equipped to provide you with your complete Home Information Pack as part of their conveyancing service to you.  Using our team of third party providers who offer a very competitive package you will avoid any unnecessary additional delay and we can instantly provide you with a breakdown of both the conveyancing and HIP costs in order for you to budget accordingly.  We will therefore provide you with not only the HIP but also undertake the subsequent conveyancing work with regard to your sale once the property has sold. 

What if I requested my HIP through a third party/estate agent but want Harvey Ingram to deal with my conveyancing?

Even if we don’t prepare the HIP for you we would be happy to undertake the related legal work in respect of the sale transaction and any related purchase which you may have.  All you need to do is inform your HIP provider and estate agent that Harvey Ingram will be dealing with your legal work and we will do the rest ensuring that your matter is dealt with a speed and quality of service which is synonymous with our firm.

Key Personnel:

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