Welcome to the new Home Information Pack phenomena.

The most controversial piece of Government legislation ever to hit the property selling process has finally arrived. This will be a confusing time for all concerned. To help out we have put together some facts which we hope will clear up a few of the rumors stories surrounding the HIP phenomena.

Facts:

• Home Information Packs are now required for all properties new introduced to the open market. The 6th April 2008 saw the introduction of HIPs for New Builds and off-plan Properties.

• If you chose to have a HIP produced privately the property in question must be available for sale on the open market within 3 months of the pack being produced. Otherwise the pack will be considered to contain outdated information and 'time sensitive' information will need to be updated. However, once the Property has been marketed, the Pack information will remain valid until the property is sold. It is then at the buyers discretion to renew any of the HIP documents before legal completion.
  
  
• The Energy Performance Certificate must be conducted by a fully qualified and accredited Home Inspector or Domestic Energy Assessor.
  
  
• The Home Conditions Report (HCR) has become a voluntary option, but the Government hope to introduce it as a compulsory element once enough Home Inspector have qualified and the HCR has had an opportunity to prove itself to the critics.
  
  
• Those choosing to sell a property without a HIP can be fined up to £200. However this is not a criminal offence.
  
  
• HIPs will not be required for the following:-
  
  
  • Properties in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
  • Non-residential properties or where homes are in mixed use with commercial property.
  • Private sales where the property is not offered on the open market (e.g. to a family member, neighbour, or friend).
  • Properties sold with sitting tenants and not available for owner occupation.
  • ‘Right to Buy’ sales by Local Authorities or other social landlords.
  • Homes held on a lease of less than 21 years.
  • Unsafe properties and properties to be demolished.
    
    
• The initial advantage of buying a HIP privately is that once your pack has been received you can market your property with or without an Estate Agent.
  
  
• Because we specialise solely in the production of HIPs we are able to provide packs at a very competitive price.
  
  
• We are willing to produce a HIP for any property within England and Wales.

• Once a HIP order has been placed, a proof of order form will be provided to enable marketing of the property to begin immediately. Regulations state that until December 31st 2008 a property can be marketed as long as the seller can prove a HIP has been ordered.

If you require any further information or have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us.