When does a seller need a HIP?

A Home Information Pack (HIP), including a home energy rating is legally required for all properties put on the market after 14 th December 2007 in England and Wales*. The Energy Performance Certificate contains information on how to cut carbon emissions and fuel bills.

If you are marketing the property yourself, even just putting a ‘For Sale' sign in the window you will still need a pack. Order HIP here

And when is a HIP not required?

A HIP is not required*:

• If there is no marketing of the property and it is a private sale for example to a member of your family.
• For non-residential properties
• For mixed sales (e.g. shop with a flat) and being sold as one lot
• For right to buy and similar sales
• For properties that are unsafe and those to be demolished
• If it is being sold without vacant possession
• If it is part of the sale of a property portfolio
• Holiday or seasonal accommodation

Who compiles the HIP?

HIP Barnsley as a Pack Provider can provide the complete HIP and carry out the assessment required for the Energy Performance Certificate. Sellers of the property can also hire the estate agent, solicitors or alternatively do it themselves.

What does a HIP consist of?

There are certain compulsory documents that are required in the HIP that are required when properties are bought or sold and then there are further optional documents that can be included.

Compulsary documents include*:

•  Home Information Pack Index (a list of the contents of the HIP)

•  Energy Performance Certificate

•  Sale statement (summarising the terms of sale)

•  Standard searches (local, water and drainage

•  Evidence of title (proves it's yours to sell)

•  A HIP for a newly built home must have a certificate (or interim certificate) showing the rating that the home has received in respect of the Code for Sustainable Homes or a nil-rated certificate showing that the home has only been designed to meet current Building Regulations

•  Additional information for leasehold and commonhold sales, where appropriate.

Optional documents include*:

•  A Home Condition report (gives buyers a clear idea of what work, if any , needs to be done to the property)

•  Additional Leasehold information

•  Guarantees and warranties

•  Any other searches relevant to the area

 

How long does the HIP take?

A HIP can take 3-10 working days to be created and will depend on the searches needed. Payment will need to be taken/arranged before HIP Barnsley will commission your HIP.

How do I get an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)?

The EPC is included in the Home Information Pack commissioned by HIP Barnsley. Our Domestic Energy Assessor will contact you to make an arrangement to visit your property to carry out the assessment when we receive the instruction for the HIP.

It can also be commissioned from HIP Barnsley as a stand alone document if required. Order EPC here

Who pays for the HIP?

The seller is responsible for the cost of the pack, there is an option with HIP Barnsley to defer the payment until later in the selling process (link to Price Page)

What happens if I take my property of the market?

If a seller removes the property from the market the HIP will be valid to use if the property is remarketed within a year from it first being marketed. If a deferred payment option was taken out to pay for the HIP, then this will be invoked for payment to be taken when the property is withdrawn from sale*.

What happens if I change Estate Agents?

If the property was on the market before HIPs came in and there has not been a break in marketing then a HIP is not required. If there has been a break then a HIP will need to be commissioned*.

How long is a HIP valid for?

The Energy Performance Certificate is valid for one year and the Evidence of Title and searches cannot be more than three month old when a property is first marketed*.

*For the latest up-to-date information on Home Information Packs visit the Government website at www.homeinformationpacks.gov.uk .