Home Information Packs (HIPs) and new residential sales
Note: This is our original regulation update text, published on 3 September 2007. Unlike the rest of our site, this archived material is not updated if the law changes.
Relevant to
Domestic property owners and estate agents, property auctioneers, conveyancers, solicitors and others in the property industry in England and Wales
Took effect on
10 September 2007
From 10 September 2007, you must have or have commissioned a Home Information Pack (HIP) before you offer for sale or auction a residential property that at the first point of marketing is:
- physically complete and contains three bedrooms or more
- not physically complete and is expected to have three bedrooms or more when it is physically complete
As of 1 January 2008, you will only be able to place such homes on the market once a pack is in place.
In the short term, HIPs are not required for properties that were already on the market at the commencement date. However, a date on which all marketed homes will be required to have a HIP may be set in due course.
New homes built under Part L of the 2006 building regulations do not require a HIP and will be brought in by a separate commencement order.
Each pack must include:
- An index or checklist.
- Title documents.
- An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) or Predicted Energy Assessment (PEA). EPCs are issued by a qualified Domestic Energy Assessor or Home Inspector. A PEA is required for new homes being sold off-plan.
- A sale statement providing key information on the terms of sale.
- Standard local authority searches and a drainage and water search.
- Additional documents - eg a copy of the lease for leasehold and commonhold sales.
Sellers may also include authorised documents such as a Home Condition Report or additional searches.
HIPs will not be required for certain sales - eg seasonal and holiday accommodation.
You may charge a reasonable fee for a pack to cover costs.
Full title of regulation
The Housing Act 2004 (Commencement No. 9) (England and Wales) Order 2007
From
Communities and Local Government
- Print this page - Opens in a new window
- Tell a friend about this page
- Send me email alerts about new regulation updates
This content is subject to Crown Copyright
- Source:
- Business Link
Let the advisors at Contact Law, a service of FindLaw, guide you through the process of hiring a qualified solicitor to meet your specific needs:
- 5,000 solicitors objectively screened
- Secure and private service
- Expertise for your needs
- Contact Law is a service of FindLaw UK
Call 0800 1777 167
Articles
Community
Blog