|
HIPS - Home Information Packs
What is a Home Information Pack?
The Home Information Pack or HIP was introduced as a provision of the Housing Act 2004. The main premise of the HIP is to reduce the number of failed residential property transactions by providing valuable information to the prospective buyer on local planning, drainage and water, ownership and environmental considerations before an offer is placed.
The HIP became mandatory on all properties with 4 bedrooms or more on the 1st of August 2007 this was later extended to 3 bedroom properties on the 10th of September 2007 and was fully rolled out on the 14th of December 2007 to cover all residential property in England and Wales.
What is included in the pack?
The Home Information Pack consists of the following documentation:
Local Authority Search
The Local Authority Search is a check against any plans that may affect the property being sold. The search looks for planning proposals such as new roads, changes to road layouts, building developments in the vicinity and alterations to land use and public rights of way.
Drainage and Water Search (Con29)
The Drainage and Water Search includes information relating to the connection of water and sanitation services, adoption agreements, services within the property, statutory agreements, basis of charging for services and proximity to public system, etc.
Energy Performance Certificate
The Energy Performance Certificate or EPC indicates the Energy Efficiency and CO2 rating for a home on a scale of A-G (A being most efficient). The EPC is issued by an energy assessor following a survey of the home.
Land Registry Title Documents
The Land Registry Official Titles provide information on the current registered
owner(s) of the property, their associated rights and the boundaries of the properties illustrated on a plan.
Additional Leasehold or Commonhold documentation
If the tenure of the property being sold is leasehold or Commonhold then additional documentation will be required in order to make the HIP compliant. Details about the additional documentation can be found on the official Home Information Pack website. residential properties in England and Wales with 3 bedrooms or more. .. It is likely that from june next year you will require the completed HIP before the property is marketed.
Useful Links
www.thehipreport.co.uk
www.homeinformationpacks.gov.uk
www.dsdni.gov.uk/index/hsdiv-housing/hsdiv-energy_perf_certs.htm
www.homeinformationpacks.gov.uk/industry/66_Domestic_Energy_Assessors.html
|
