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General Frequently Asked Questions

 

When Is A HIP Required

If a property is being marketed and falls within the scope of the scheme during the temporary period, which runs from 1 August until the 31 December for properties with 4 bedrooms or more, and 10 September until 31 December for properties with 3 bedrooms or more, then the HIP must be commissioned before marketing can begin. During this period the EPC must be provided before contracts are exchanged, although there is no set time limit on when the rest of the HIP should be provided.

 

If a property is being marketed and 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.

 

How is a 3 or 4 bedroom property defined?

A 3 or 4 bedroom property is defined as any property being marketed as having 3 or 4 bedrooms.

 

When will 2 and 1 bedroom properties require a HIP?

HIP's are required with effect from 14th December 2007 and the transitional period for first day marketing for all properties has been extended from 1 January to 1st June 2008.

 

What If The House Was On The Market Prior To 1st August 2007?

Properties that are genuinely on the market before the commencement date (i.e. 1 August for sales of homes with four or more bedrooms) will not need a Pack. This exemption will apply for as long as marketing continues but the Government may appoint a date at which all properties on the market will be subject to the HIP duties, regardless of when they were first marketed.

 

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.

 

Are HIPs required across the UK?

No - only in England and Wales

 

What if the house is being sold privately?

If a property is being marketed, even if it's just by putting a 'for sale' sign in the window, a HIP will be required. Sales where no marketing takes place (e.g. to a member of the family) won't need a Pack.