What is a Home Information Pack or HIP?
A Home Information Pack or HIP is a pack of legal documents and searches that need to be commissioned for properties prior to their being marketing for sale. The Pack must also contain an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). Click here for a list of required documents and those that may be included.
Vickery are pleased to offer the commissioning and compilation of the Home Information Pack as Part Of our Service – all required documents are commissioned and compiled using in-house software designed for this purpose. In addition we have trained key members of staff as fully accredited Energy Assessors able to undertake and complete the EPC element of the Pack without going to a third party.
Why do I need a Home Information Pack?
The Government introduced legislation in 2007 requiring that a Home Information Pack (HIP) be commissioned before a property could be marketed for sale. Subsequently, in April 2009 legislation was passed requiring certain documents within the Pack to be in place prior to any marketing of the property.
What is an Energy Performance Certificate or EPC?
An Energy Performance Certificate or EPC is an assessment of the energy efficiency of your property and its environmental impact i.e. carbon dioxide emissions. The information is made available on request for potential buyers in the form of two graphs using a scale A-G rather like those shown on new fridges and washing machines.
HIPPOS have a team of fully trained, accredited Energy Assessors, able to undertake EPCs without delay – helping to ensure your property is marketed for sale as soon as possible.
How long will it take to get all this information and will it delay my house going on the market?
A market-ready Pack must be in place before a property can be offered for sale – this includes:
the Pack Index,
Property Information Questionnaire (PIQ),
Energy Performance Certificate (EPC),
Sale Statement and
Title Documents.
HIPPOS are able to compile all of these documents (with a little help from the owner of the property) and be ready to market without delay.
A HIP is valid for as long as the property remains on the market.
What happens if my property came off the market but I would now like to remarket?
As long as you put the property back on the market within 12 months of the date the Home Information Pack was first commissioned the Pack may be reused.
Note: Solicitors and mortgage lenders do not, generally, accept searches more than six months old - however there is no obligation for these to be updated by the seller.
After this time a new Pack will need to be compiled, however the EPC remains valid for 3 years and may therefore be included in a future Pack within this period. HIPPOS offer a discount in this instance and would be happy to quote for a ‘refreshed’ Pack whether your EPC was originally undertaken by HIPPOS or an alternative Energy Assessor.
Should you decide to rent out your property the EPC may also be used for rental purposes and is valid for 10 years.
Once all the required documents are in place an electronic copy will be e-mailed to you. The Pack will be made available to prospective buyers and forwarded to your solicitors and those being used by your buyer’s when a sale has been agreed.
Printed copies of the Pack are not included as standard.
If you would like a printed copy an additional charge of £25 + VAT will be added to your order.
For a HIPquote please call:
01276 684657 and speak to Jayne
