Frequently Asked Questions about HIPs:

• What is a HIP?

A Home Information Pack (HIP) is a group of documents relating to a particular property.  The HIP is made up of required (compulsory) and authorised (optional) items.  There shouldn't be any marketing or advertising material in the pack, it should contain official information only. 

• Why does my property need one?

Since 6th April 2009,  it has been a legal requirement to have a HIP before the marketing of a residential property for sale can take place.

• What is in a Home Information Pack (HIP)? 

1.  Home Information Pack Index
2.  Property Information Questionnaire (PIQ) 
3.  Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) or Predicted Energy Assessment (PEA)
4. Sustainability information (required for newly built homes)
5. Sale statement- basic information about the property
6. Evidence of Title & Ttle Plan
7. Standard searches (local authority and drainage and water)
8. A copy of the lease for leasehold properties
9. Commonhold documents, where appropriate

(If documents 7-9 are unavailable when marketing begins, they should be added to the HIP within 28 days of the date the property was first placed on the market) 

• What is an EPC?

An EPC is an Energy Performance Certificate, which is carried out by the Domestic energy Assessor (DEA).  This information provides the energy efficency rating for your property.

This rating ranges from 'A', the most energy efficient, to 'G', the least energy efficient.  

• What is a PIQ?

PIQ stands for Property Information Questionnaire.  A range of information about the property is required, including electrical and gas safety, details or any structural damage that has taken place previously, flood risk, council tax information and parking arrangments for the property.

(Please note, it is the sellers responsibility to complete the form providing accurate information.)

• As a seller, what should I be doing?

The introduction of HIPs was intended to shorten the time in between agreeing a sale and exchanging contracts.  As a seller, the more information you have to hand before you market your property, the better.  A good course of action would be to:

Instruct a solicitor (with experience in your area) to act on your behalf before you come to the market, they can pre-empt many of the potential stumbling blocks that could occur through a sale. 

(If you do not know a good local solicitor we would be happy to recommend one of the many who we deal with and we know can deliver resuts in a speedy and timely manner).

If your property is leasehold ensure that the service charge payments are up to date and that a copy of the lease is readily available.

• Can Kay & Co organise a HIP to be carried out on my behalf, and if so what is the procedure?

Although the process is fairly similar for everybody, there are many different HIP providers offering both varied services and prices.  At Kay & Co we can instruct a HIP provider on your behalf and manage the entire process so that you do not have to. 

We get the HIP provider to:

1. Contact you to take payment
2. Arrange for a DEA to go to the property to carry out an EPC which is legally required.

They will also provide you with a PIQ, which is a questionnare for you to complete about your property and then they do the rest. 

WE ENSURE THAT THE COMPLETED HIP IS DELIVERED AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE UNTIL THEY DO WE CANNOT COMMENCE MARKETING YOUR PROPERTY.

Further information converning HIPs can be found on the direct.gov.uk website:
www.direct.gov.uk/en/HomeAndCommunity/BuyingAndSellingYourHome/Homeinformationpacks/DG_171685