When do I have to provide a HIP?

If you are marketing a property which falls within the scope of the scheme from 1 January 2008 onwards, the HIP including the EPC must be available to anyone interested in the property from the time it is first placed on the market.

What goes in a HIP?
The following compulsory documents must be included in a Home Information Pack:
Home Information Pack Index
Energy Performance Certificate
Sale statement
Standard searches
Evidence of title
Additional information for leasehold and commonhold sales, where appropriate.
You can also include other documents such as a Home Condition Report, an environmental or flood risk search and other information that would be of interest to a potential buyer as defined in the regulations.

Who compiles HIPs?
Sellers can hire estate agents, solicitors, separate pack providers, or do it themselves.
Are HIPs required across the UK?

No - only in England and Wales

I'm selling my house privately - do I need a Home Information Pack?

If you are marketing your property, even if it's just by putting a 'for sale' sign in the window, you need a Pack. Sales where no marketing takes place (e.g. to a member of the family) won't need a Pack.

Who pays for the Pack?
The seller is responsible for the cost of a Home Information Pack. The cost of the Pack is down to the market, but sellers will often be able to defer costs until late in the sale.

How will I pay for the Pack?

This depends on the agreement between the seller and the compiler of the Pack. Some examples of the ways that Packs might be paid for are as follows:

Seller pays for the Pack upfront from estate agent, solicitor or Pack provider

Seller compiles the Pack and pays each organisation for the relevant component (e.g. the Land Registry for the title document)

Estate agent offers the Pack to the seller on a 'no sale, no fee' basis, where the cost of the Pack could be included in the estate agent's commission

Estate agent offers the Pack to the seller on a 'buy now, pay on completion' basis, which is usually a credit agreement for three or six months between the seller and the organisation compiling the pack.

These are only indications of payment models; the Pack regulations do not prescribe any particular payment method.

Do I have to put electrical certificates in my Pack?
Electrical certificates (past or present) are not a required component of the Pack, but can be included if the seller has them.
I've lost guarantees of work I have had done - what do I do?
Don't worry - guarantees aren't a required component of the Pack, but can be included if you have them.
Should the pack include a Home Condition Report?
A Home Condition Report could help you sell your property more quickly if it shows that it is in good condition, or if it highlights any problems straight away for potential buyers, it can avoid nasty surprises for buyers later in the process.

Q. How long will an EPC the survey take?
A. We will normally be on site for approximately one hour. The calculations are completed at our office and the Certificate will be produced within 24 hours.

Q. Will I need to be at home when the surveyor arrives?
A. Yes it would be preferable if you are at home as we will need to ask a few simple questions. We will also need access to all areas of your home, including the main heating boiler and loft area (if practically possible).

Q. What is included in the Energy Performance Certificate?
A. The Certificate will look broadly similar to a certificate on a refrigerator. Its purpose is to record in a clear unambiguous format, how energy efficient the home is as a building. Using colour charts, the EPC records the current rating and compares this with potential rating at which the owner should aim.

Q ) Who can produce the Energy Certificate?.
A) The Energy Performance Certificate can only be completed by a qualified and licensed Domestic Energy Assessors or Home Inspectors.

Q) Does the Energy Performance Certificate need to be completed before a property is marketed?
A) The Certificate must be attached to the property details as supplied by the estate agent. Also proof must be provided that the legal documents and searches have been ordered by your pack provider.

Q) Who has access and permission to view the Energy Performance Certificate?
A)Permission to view the contents of an Energy Performance Certificate by estate agents or prospective buyers must be given by the owner of the pack

Please contact us to discuss the costs and who provides our HIPS and EPC’s.