What Is A Home Information Pack?
It is a set of documents providing important information about the property for sale. It is a legal requirement that all sellers of residential properties for sale must have a HIP in place prior to marketing the property.
Why Do We Need Them?
The aim is to reduce the stress involved in the house buying and selling process by providing key documents at the time the property is put on the market.
As part of the regulations, all estate agents are required to belong to an approved customer redress scheme, meaning peace of mind for customers and better standards of service. At Northwood we have gone one step further as we are full members of the Property Ombudsman scheme.
What Is Included in a Home Information Pack?
Required Documents:
1. Index
2. Sale Statements
3. Evidence of Title and Title Plan
4. Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
5. Property Information Questionnaire (PIQ)
6. Searches
7. Copy of the lease (if leasehold)
Items 1-5 must be in the HIP before marketing can commence, items 6 & 7 must be ordered and then added within 28 days.
Who Are The Parties Involved In Producing a Home Information Pack?
The Agent – explains to the vendor about the legal requirements for a HIP and what it consists of.
The Vendor – purchases the HIP and provides some of the required documents
The HIP Provider – produces the HIP and employs people to collate various required information. Once the information is collated, provides copies of the HIP.
Domestic Energy Assessors (DEA) – produces the Energy Performance Certificate
What is an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)?
This provides an energy efficiency rating for a property, and also shows the environmental impact of the building, by indicating its carbon dioxide emissions.
What is a Property Information Questionnaire (PIQ)?
This is a detailed checklist providing important information about the property. The seller will complete this and it will be included in the HIP prior to marketing the property.
Who Can Help Me Get a Home Information Pack?
Northwood consultants will be able to arrange for the Home Information Pack to be produced for you by our provider. They will handle all aspects of the legalities involved in getting your property to the point of marketing, in the shortest possible time.
Please ask for further information about how we can do this for you and the fees involved, or any further clarification you need.
Alternatively you can obtain a HIP yourself, or if you already have a HIP this can be transferred, subject to verification.
