Home Information Packs from Farrell Heyworth

Introduction

If you are putting your home on the market then you probably will need a Home Information Pack (HIP). At Farrell Heyworth we have a simple, competitive HIP solution with an online HIP tracking tool and NO upfront fees*! Phone or pop into your local Farrell Heyworth branch and we'll be delighted to answer any of your HIP questions, for fill in the HIP infomation form and we will call you back.

What is a HIP?

A Home Information Pack provides information to a buyer about a residential property they’re thinking of buying. The pack is a legal requirement and must be provided by the seller or their estate agent. Producing the pack is the first part of the house selling process, as without it a property cannot be put up for sale.

Why is a HIP required?

The UK government wanted to make sure buyers were better informed up front rather than after a purchase had been agreed.

The HIP was designed to save time once a sale has been agreed by providing information such as searches up front, therefore helping to achieve an earlier exchange of contracts which in-turn reduces the number of aborted sales and unnecessary costs incurred by some purchasers.

An energy performance certificate ('EPC') is a key element of a HIP. This certificate provides each property with an energy rating similar to those than can be seen on fridges and freezers. Areas for energy savings are also highlighted.

The EPC was included to meet the governments commitments set by a European directive, that all member states have to implement. The EU found that a significant proportion of energy was being used by residential properties. Increasing the energy efficiency in millions of properties across Europe, in even a small way, will result in significant overall reduction in energy usage.

An important element of the HIP is the new Property Information Questionnaire. The Property Information Questionnaire is to provide the buyer with a helpful checklist of information as they walk round the property. This document has to be completed by the seller and sent to the HIP provider for inclusion in the HIP pack, because the property cannot be marketed by anyone without the addition of the Property Information Questionnaire.

* For leasehold properties additional 3rd party fees may be payable upfront to obtain the required leasehold information relating to your property that must be included in the HIP"