Homematters Developers - Help FAQ's - Home Information Packs (HIP)

Home Information Packs	Return to frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions

What is a home information pack?
Why is a HIP important?
What type of properties need a HIP?
Who can see a HIP on my house?
What is an energy performance certificate?
What is a home condition report?
Who will pay for the HIP?
How long will it take to prepare a HIP?
How long will a HIP last?
Why should I order my HIP from homemattersdevelopers.co.uk?
What type of properties are excluded from a HIP?

What is a home information pack?
A HIP consists of compulsory documents which gives the buyer up-front transparency on the following information relating to the residential property being marketed by the seller and/or their agent. • Legal information (title, searches and other related legal information) • Sales statement – details of the sale • Energy efficiency rating and recommendations on how this can be improved
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Why is a HIP important?
It is now mandatory under the law. The HIP was introduced to improve the housing stock and process of property sales in the UK. Compiling legal information well in advance is expected to speed up the conveyancing process and reduces the possibilities of a sale falling through after a buyer’s offer has been accepted. The Energy Performance Certificate included in the pack also helps us to understand and improve the energy efficiency of our homes.
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What type of properties need a HIP?
A HIP is required for all types of residential properties i.e. house and flat. Click here to see exclusions
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Who can see a HIP on my house?
Most HIP providers will enable the completed HIP to be viewed on their website. The regulation also states that anyone who wants a paper copy is entitled to receive one except in certain limited circumstances such as the agents or sellers not believing that the person is a serious buyer.
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What is an energy performance certificate?
An EPC is an energy rating which works on similar lines to the rating shown on the front of electrical appliances such as fridges. The EPC will provide a scale of A-G giving the current efficiency of the property and its potential rating. It will also include recommendations as to how the energy efficiency of the property can be improved.
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What is a home condition report?
Although intended to be, at present, a Home Condition Report (HCR) is not a compulsory part of a HIP. It is a survey which can be ordered by sellers in order that prospective buyers can have a better idea of the true condition of the property. Some transactions fall through at a late stage due to buyers discovering defects in a property and the government has suggested that if HCRs are made available at the start of all transactions, less property sales will fall through. At present the HCR is a voluntary inclusion to the pack.
HCRs include an energy rating section so a separate EPC would not be required. However, HCRs are more expensive than EPCs.
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Who will pay for the HIP?
HIPs are generally paid for by the seller(s).
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How long will it take to prepare a HIP?
Legislation recommends 28 days to compile all the compulsory documents required for a HIP by a HIP provider. This is because compiling compulsory documents such as; searches may take a longer time depending on the time taken by Local Authorities, while other compulsory documents such as; Index, Sale Statement, Land Registry documents, EPC can be compiled within a short time. However, legislation allows the seller to place the property on to the market as soon as the HIP order has been placed.
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How long will a HIP last?
Once a HIP has been prepared there is no need for it to be up-dated provided that the property remains on the market. If a property is taken off the market and is placed back on the market within 28 days, you can use the same HIP, and the pack remains valid for 1 year. However, certain documents, for example searches, cannot be any older than 3 months at any point in time from the start of marketing and EPCs should not be older than 12 months. Essentially, a duty of care exists to ensure the contents of the pack are not misleading, or non-compliant. The potential buyer reserves the right to negotiate new documentation with the seller.
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Why should I order my HIP from homemattersdevelopers.co.uk?
We have ensured that our HIPs will be • Easy to order • Delivered quickly • Easy to read and understand • Very competitively priced
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What type of properties are excluded from a HIP?
Certain properties do not require HIPs.
Non-residential properties Seasonal and holiday accommodation Mixed sale (i.e. shop/flat; farmhouse sold with agricultural land and buildings; petrol station sold with adjoining house) Dual use of dwelling, where the primary use is commercial Unsafe properties Properties marketed for demolition and redevelopment
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