HIP services
Background
The traditional process of buying and selling a home in England & Wales has been altered to include the mandatory production of a Home Information Pack (HIPs). From September 10th 2007 all owners of houses with 3 or more bedrooms will be required to produce an HIP before they can market their property for sale. It is intended that HIPs will be required for all other properties by the end of the year. Philosophically, HIPs have been introduced to make the process of buying and selling a house faster, more transparent and to limit uncertainty along the process. Further, HIPs (through the inclusion of EPCs) aim to reduce carbon emissions originating from homes, which currently account for 27% of all UK emissions. In essence, a potential buyer will have all the relevant information that will allow him or her to decide if the property they wish to buy meets all the appropriate criteria for a sound purchase at the beginning of the process rather than at the end.
Click here to receive a free online quotation to conduct a HIP
Procedure
Upon confirmation of a request to create a HIP, House Inspectors Direct will agree a completion date for delivery with you and assign a named employee who will be your named contact at HID throughout the process of getting a completed HIP to you.
Outcome
In line with the legislation, A "Home Information Pack" (HIP) is a collection of documents provided by the seller of a residential property to potential purchasers where the property is put on the market. There are a number of documents that must be included in a pack relating to the title and tenure of the property, local search information and the property's energy performance. The pack may also contain additional documents that would be beneficial to the smooth completion of the property transaction.
The actual pack will contain the following authorised items:
- An index – The index lists the full contents of the pack and is a helpful checklist to ensure all required documents are incorporated in the HIP we provide.
- Energy Performance Certificate - the purpose of issuing an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is to record the current energy efficiency of your home and compare it to a value for energy efficiency which you as a home owner should be aiming for. This value will be calculated by one of our energy assessors.
- Predicted energy assessment/statement – this is required for homes that have not been built when marketing starts.
- A Sale statement – This document details particulars related to the current owners and/or sellers of the property and its full address, whether the property being marketed is freehold, leasehold or commonhold and the current status of the property (e.g. vacant possession).
- A Home use form – This form provides a lot of information, for example, relating to the type of property (e.g. flat, detached house etc), alterations made to the dwelling, access rights and the services connected to the property. s
- Home Contents Form – The Home Contents Form typically would list all contents, fixtures and fittings included in the property sale price
- Evidence of title – This is obtained from the Land Registry. These documents provide an up to date official record of who owns the land and compromise official copies of the “individual register” (made up of a property register, proprietorship register and typically a charges register) and an official copy of the title plan.
- Local Council Search reports - These searches access the local land charges register that relates to the property being sold.
- Drainage and water search report – This search report will confirm how drainage services and water supply are provided to the property. Other searches may also be applicable depending on the location of the property being marketed (e.g. a mining search).
- Environmental searches - If applicable particular environmental searches can be conducted to determine, for example, any risk from flooding or contamination from radon gas or any other substance.
- A Home Condition Report – This important report provides information on the physical condition of the property on which the buyer, seller and lender have a right to rely upon.
- Relevant warranties/policies – The HIP can also contain details of relevant warranties, insurance policies or guarantees relating to the property’s design and construction
