Special Offer
We are offering a H.I.P for a limited period from £245.00 when we market your freehold property.
HIPS
The Government has introduced Home Information Packs ('HIPS') for all properties marketed for sale from
This is a significant change to the home buying and selling process, but provided you understand they key features of a HIP, what they are intended to achieve and ensure that you obtain yours from a reputable source, they are not something that should alarm you and over time will actually improve the overall buying process.
From April 2008 the Government will begin to roll out EPCs for newly built homes, as well as across commercial property for sale, rent or construction. By October 2008 all public buildings will have a display certificate.
What is a Home Information Pack?
A HIP contains a collection of important documents that are required when houses are bought and sold. These include various legal searches, land registry documents and an energy performance certificate (EPC), which is intended to tell you and potential buyers how ’green’ a house is. These are the compulsory elements for all properties; leasehold properties require additional information and there are various other documents and reports that can be included if you wish.
What is in a Home Information Pack?
There are two kinds of documents that a HIP may contain; those that are required (mandatory) for all properties and others that are authorised (optional), to be included at the sellers discretion.
Mandatory
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.
If a property which falls within the scope of the scheme is first marketed from
Optional Items
Some documents in the Home Information Pack are optional. These include:
Additional information for leasehold and commonhold sales, where appropriate Questions and Answers
Q. Do all residential properties need a HIP?
Apart for the phased start by size of property, the vast majority do. There are a few exceptions, such as mixed use properties (a shop and flat) and properties with a sitting tenant. Your Brooklands manager will advise you if you do not require a HIP.
Q. What is an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)?
An EPC will tell buyers and sellers about a home’s energy efficiency, using A to G ratings like those used on appliances such as washing machines and refrigerators. The certificate will also specifically show, for each individual property, various improvements that could be made to cut fuel bills and carbon emissions, the costs of doing this and how quickly these will be recouped through reduced spending on energy.
The EPC will be prepared by a Domestic Energy Assessor or a Home Inspector, all of whom have been trained and are licensed via a Government Certification Scheme.
Q. How long will it take to put my property on the market?
A property can be marketed as soon as a HIP has been ordered (proof of this is required). After this date the property can be offered for sale as soon as the EPC and land registry documents are ready. In most cases producing these documents should take 7 days or less. The rest of the documents (searches and leasehold documents) have to be assembled within 28 days of marketing the property.
Q. How much will it cost?
We have a variety of HIPs products designed to suit most circumstances. Your Brooklands manager will take you through the menu of HIPs available so that you are able to select the product that best matches your requirements.