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The HIP brings together key information needed by both buyers and sellers at the very start of the home-buying process.
If you are a seller, you need to have commissioned a HIP by the time you market your property. If the property is placed on the market before 1st January 2008, provided you have commissioned a pack, you can start marketing it at once. After the 1st January 2008, a home can only be put up for sale once the pack has been prepared.
The HIP should contain:
If any of the documents are missing, the index should explain the reason why.
For more information see What is a HIP?
The person responsible for marketing the property must have commissioned a HIP by the time the property is on the market. You must be able to provide potential buyers with a copy of a Hip, or any document from it, on request.
Note: You will only be able to market the property without a HIP if it is placed on the market before 1st January 2008, provided you have commissioned a pack. After the 1st January 2008, a home can only be put up for sale once the pack has been prepared.
You are not allowed to charge for the HIP, but a reasonable charge may be made for copying and posting.
Domestic Energy Assessors or Home Inspectors should always make an appointment. Do not allow unexpected cold callers into your home to carry out Energy Performance Certificates or Home Condition Reports.
You could face a penalty notice of £200 if you do not comply with the HIP regulations. The duties imposed by the regulations will be enforced by local authority Trading Standards Officers under a civil sanctions regime. The Trading Officers must also notify the Office of Fair Trading when a penalty charge notice is issued to an estate agent and this could result in a banning order for the agent in question.
As a seller, there are a number of options:
If you are selling a private residential property on the open market, you would normally need a HIP. However there are some exceptions, so check if you are affected, see Who doesn't need a HIP?
If you are considering a HIP, you are likely to be totally confused by all the companies advertising and offering specialist HIP services. There is a whole new industry springing up to supply packs to vendors and the charges will vary. Our advice is to be very careful before ordering a HIP and read the small print. Providers offering 'free' or 'cheap' HIPs will most likely be looking to make their money from selling the property, conveyancing and other services. Additionally, because the energy performance certificate contains a lot of detail about the improvements that could be made to a property, sellers should not be surprised if the inspectors try to advise them to buy double-glazing as well!!! Just be careful as the lengthy delay in the introduction of HIP's has cost some providers and estate agents millions of pounds which they will want to recoup.
At ContractorsHIP, we are able to offer a "hassle free" HIP service to our customers at competitive rates. We can help find the right HIP provider for you. Simply fill in the HIP Finder and we will get back to you shortly.
Please contact us or call the office on 0845 062 8888 (local rate).
Steve BirchallThe whole process was so quick and easy with no worries...
Nick WilliamsI would have no hesitation in recommending your company to others...
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