HIPS Explained

How long will it take to produce a HIP?

It is expected that it will be produced within a minimum period of 5 days.

Can the property be offered for sale before the HIP has been produced?

It is possible for a limited period (timetable set by the Government) to offer your home for sale and for marketing to commence before the HIP has been produced. We must however obtain an Energy Efficiency Certificate as soon as possible and certainly before exchange of contracts.

It is essential that we ensure compliance. After the limited period it will be an offence to market your property or even tell anyone that a property is available for sale before at least the Energy Performance Certificate and certain other information is available.

What happens if documents are unobtainable?

If documents are lost or unobtainable we are allowed to market the property with a partially completed HIP after a delay of 14 days. We must however take all reasonable steps to obtain the missing document or documents and must produce an updated HIP if and when the official documents are obtained.

Who is responsible for preparing a HIP?

We are responsible for ensuring that a HIP has been produced and for compliance with the Regulations should you instruct us to act on your behalf.

Will the HIP include a Survey?

Although it was originally intended that a Home Condition Report detailing the state and condition of the property would be included in the pack the Government decided not to include one. It has however been left open for you to include a Home Condition Report in the pack should you wish to do so.

How much will the HIP cost?

We have a number of flexible options for you to pay for your Home Information Pack and full details of the costs involved can be provided on request.

Who has a right to view the HIP?

All prospective purchasers have a right to view the HIP. They may choose to read a hard copy of the pack or they can look at an electronic version of the document at either our offices or via the internet. We will give access via a secure pin number to prevent unauthorised people from viewing the document.

Whilst it is a requirement to order the full HIP it is not necessary during the limited period for the HIP to have been fully completed before you sell the property. It is however a requirement to provide the purchaser with a copy of the Energy Performance Certificate before exchange of contracts.

How long is a HIP valid for?

The HIP remains valid for as long as the property remains on the market. The searches are only valid for 6 months.

During the limited period the Government have extended the maximum age of an Energy Performance Certificate when a property is first put on the market from three to twelve months.

Does the Energy Performance Rating have to be included in the Property Particulars?

During the limited period the Energy Performance Rating does not have to be included in the Property Particulars day one and before marketing the property. It is nevertheless a requirement that it is placed on the particulars once the rating is available.

After the limited period it is a requirement for the Energy Performance Rating to be included in the Property Particulars from day one and before marketing the property.