Home Information Packs (HIPs)
£250 plus VAT for Freehold properties
£275 plus VAT for Leasehold properties
Planning to sell your house? You will need a HIP. You do not have to obtain your HIP through your estate agent.
Coles Knapp provide fully compliant, highly competitive HIPS at £250 plus VAT for Freehold properties and £275 plus VAT for Leasehold properties. We can also supply the EPC separately should you already have the rest of the pack.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION / FAQs
What are HIPs?
Do I need a HIP?
When is the HIP required?
How long is a HIP valid for?
Are there any circumstances where I don't need a HIP?
What happens if I don't have a HIP?
What does a HIP contain?
Optional documents
What are HIPs?
A HIP is a set of documents that provides the buyer with key information on the property and must be provided by the seller or the seller's agent. It is a legal requirement to have a HIP and you can't market your property without one.
More information can be obtained at Government website here (http://www.homeinformationpacks.gov.uk/)
Do I need a HIP?
Yes all domestic properties marketed for sale require a HIP, unless they fall under one of the ‘exemptions' - see ‘circumstances where I don't need a HIP' below.
When is the HIP required?
Since 6 April 2009, the HIP must be available on the first day a property is marketed for sale. The 'responsible person' (in most cases, the estate agent) will not be allowed to market your property unless the HIP is available. If there's a delay in getting certain documents, like the local searches, these can be added after your house is put on the market
How long is a HIP valid for?
When first compiling the pack the Searches and Land Registry documents can't be more than 3 months old and the EPC no more than 36 months old. It is not a legal requirement to update the pack and the pack remains valid until such a time as the property is sold or removed from the market.
The seller can, however, continue to use the original HIP in the following situations:
where the property is removed from the market but then re-advertised within 12 months of the original first day of marketing
or where the property was removed from market because of a sale, but the re-advertised due the sale falling through within 28 days of that event.
Are there any circumstances where I don't need a HIP?
A HIP is not required for:
sales where no marketing has taken place, for example to a family member, neighbour or friend
non-residential properties
properties limited by law for use as holiday accommodation or occupation for less than 11 months per year
mixed sales, eg a shop with a flat
right to buy and similar sales
sales of property portfolios
properties not being sold with complete vacant possession
unsafe properties and properties for demolition
What happens if I don't have a HIP?
Those who do not comply with the HIP Regulations face the possibility of a penalty notice of £200. You will still require a HIP and may be fined again for further non compliance.
What does a HIP contain?
To see a sample HIP (link to CLG website) click here: http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/housing/samplehomeinformationpack
The following documents must be included in a Home Information Pack (HIP):
An index which lists documents contained in the HIP and provides a checklist for sellers, buyers, estate agents and enforcement authorities. The index must also state if a required document is not included and explain what steps are being taken to obtain it. The index must be updated whenever documents are added or removed.
A Property Information Questionnaire (PIQ) which must be completed by the seller. The PIQ provides a helpful checklist for buyers of simple information they need to know about a property before making any decision, including gas and electricity safety, flood risk information, previous structural damage, parking arrangements, and a leasehold summary where appropriate.
An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) / Predicted Energy Assessment (PEA) which gives homeowners, tenants and buyers information on the energy and carbon emission efficiency of a property through an A - G grade rating, where A is very efficient and G is least efficient. The EPC also gives advice on cost effective ways to improve the rating. For new homes sold off-plan the requirement is to include a PEA, which should be replaced by a full EPC when the home is built.
A certificate, or interim certificate, for new-builds showing the sustainability of the home, where it complies with the standards under the Code for Sustainable Homes, or a nil-rated certificate, where the property has not been assessed against the code. This will be available from the developer.
A sale statement that includes the name of the seller, property address, whether it is freehold, leasehold or commonhold, registered or unregistered, whether it is being sold with vacant possession and in what capacity the seller is selling the property (eg selling on behalf of a deceased owner).
Evidence of title documents that prove the seller owns and has the right to sell the property. If the property is registered, certain documents available from the Land Registry must be included in the HIP. These provide an official record of who owns the land and include official copies of the individual register (made up of a property register, proprietorship register and typically a charges register) and an official copy of the title plan. If the property is unregistered, the HIP must include copies of a certificate of an official search of the index map (obtained from the Land Registry), and the documents that the seller intends to rely on to provide evidence of title to the property and the right to sell it.
Standard searches including a search of the local land charges register and other records held by the local authority (regarding such issues as planning decisions and road building proposals) and details on the provision of drainage and water services to the property.
If appropriate, a copy of the lease or information about commonhold.
Optional documents
There are a number of optional documents which can be included in a HIP should the seller wish. These include:
a Home Condition Report which contains information on the physical condition of the property
a legal summary which provides a plain English explanation of the legal documents in the HIP
home contents form which provides information on fixtures, fittings and contents included in the sale
non-standard searches covering things like rights of way, ground stability, actual or potential environmental hazards, and mining
other documents such as non-standard searches, rights of way, guarantees for maintenance and renovation work carried out
for leasehold properties, additional leasehold documents, such as information on service charges, ground rent and insurance, a summary of ongoing or proposed works or managing agent details
