As from 14th December 2007 it became a legal requirement for all properties to be marketed for sale with a Home Information Pack having been instructed. The contents of the HIP includes an Energy Performance Certificate, evidence of title, and standard searches.

Until the legislation came into force the majority of these documents were obtained by your Licensed Conveyancer in the usual conveyancing process following acceptance of an offer for your property and having instructed your legal representative.

As your licensed conveyancer we are able to provide your HIP for you.

We have formed an association with another leading local firm of property lawyers, Charles Coleman & Co LLP are able to offer you this service through eHIPs.

For more information about HIP’s please see our FAQ’s.

If you would like us to produce your HIP for you please complete our HIP Enquiry Form or if you prefer, contact us by telephone.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

DO I NEED A HIP?

From 1st August 2007 owners of properties with four or more bedrooms are required by law to have instructed a Home Information Pack (HIP) at the point marketing of their property begins. During the temporary period, which runs from 1st August until 31st December the EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) must be provided before contracts are exchanged, although there is no set time limit on when the rest of the HIP should be provided.

From 10th September the same rules were introduced for all properties with 3 bedrooms and as from 14th December 2007 ALL properties being marketed for sale require a HIP to have been instructed.

From 1st 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 DOES A HIP CONTAIN?

The documents required for a HIP are as follows:

• Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
• Sale Statement
• Standard Searches
• Evidence of Title
• Additional information for leasehold sales where appropriate.
• Property Information Questionaire

WHERE CAN I GET MY HIP?

We are able to provide your HIP.

The majority of the documents contained in a HIP would normally be provided by your licensed conveyancer or solicitor once you have a buyer for your property and are sent direct to their legal representative.

As your licensed conveyancer we are best placed to produce a HIP for your property without the need to instruct any third parties.

Explanations

ENERGY PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATE

The Energy Performance Certificate is commissioned from an accredited Energy Assessor, who visits the property to collect the relevant data and creates the certificate. This data includes the date, construction and location of the house and relevant fittings (heating systems, insulation or double glazing, for example).
The Certificate will tell you how energy efficient a home is on a scale of A-G. The most efficient homes - which should have the lowest fuel bills - are in band A.
The Certificate also tells you, on a scale of A-G, about the impact the home has on the environment. Better-rated homes should have less impact through carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.
The average property in the UK is in bands D-E for both ratings. The Certificate includes recommendations on ways to improve the home's energy efficiency to save you money and help the environment.
Sellers of newly built homes will have to provide a predicted assessment of the energy efficiency of the property, but a full Energy Performance Certificate should be provided to the buyer when the home is completed.




SALE STATEMENT

The Sale Statement sets out what is being sold and the basic terms.

SELLER’S PROPERTY INFORMATION FORM

The Seller’s Property Information Form is provided by the Licensed Conveyancer or Solicitor to the Seller for completion. It contains information about the property i.e. boundaries, services, planning, building works, guarantees etc.

SELLER’S LEASEHOLD INFORMATION FORM

The Seller’s Leasehold Information Form is provided by the Licensed Covneyancer or Solicitor to the Seller for completion. It contains information about the property, the lease, any management company and details of ground rent, maintenance charges etc.

FIXTURES, FITTINGS & CONTENTS LIST

The Fixtures, Fittings & Contents List is provided by the Licensed Conveyancer or Solicitor to the Seller for completion. It confirms items at the property that are to be included in the sale and those that are excluded.

UTILITIES QUESTIONNAIRE

The Utilities Questionnaire is completed by the seller and provides details of the utility suppliers, telephone provider, council tax, meter, stop cock & fuse box locations, refuse arrangements etc.