Properties marketed for sale from 14 December 2007 in England and Wales will need a Home Information Pack (HIP), which includes a home energy rating.  A Hip is now compulsary for first day marketing and must include a Property Information Questionnaire.  The Pack includes an Energy Performance Certificate, containing advice on how to cut carbon emissions and fuel bills. Also included are documents such as a sale statement, searches and evidence of title.

Ordering your HIP with limeliving is easy and straight forward. We have teamed up with one of the country's leading HIP providers and can offer you a Hip at the following price:

£299 inc VAT - also includes production of a floor plan

A deferred payment option is available and carries an intial £35.00 set up fee with x3 payments thereafter

What is a HIP?

The government have introduced HIPs in an attempt to improve the process of buying and selling property in England and Wales and to improve the environment through energy awareness. A Home Information Pack includes essential information about a property which was previously not made available to the buyer until later in the process. It also includes an Energy Performance Certificate, rating each property, and highlighting ways to save energy. By making this information available upfront, the intention is to speed up the process of buying and selling property. A Home Condition Report (similar to a survey) can be included as an optional extra, as can guarantees and warranties. 

What does a HIP include?

The Pack must contain at least the following:  

• Home Information Pack Index
• An Energy Performance Certificate, rating the property on a scale of A to G and suggesting ways to improve its energy consumption. This must be produced by a member of the Government approved certification scheme and includes an Energy graph which must be available with the property’s details. 
• Property Information Questionnaire
  
• Sale Statement  
• Standard Searches
• Evidence of title
• Additional information for Leasehold and Common hold sales where appropriate 

Additional documents which can be included are:

• Home Condition Report, similar to a survey.  
• Legal Summary
• Guarantees and warranties
• Other searches.  
• Home use/contents forms.

Are there any properties that don't need a HIP?

From August 1^st all properties in England & Wales with 4 or more bedrooms need a HIP, 3 bedrooms since 10th September and all other properties since the 14th December 2007.

There are also a number of cases where a HIP is not required at all.

• Properties where there is no marketing (e.g. sale to member of the family)
• Non-residential properties
• Seasonal and holiday accommodation
• Mixed sales (e.g. shop with flat)
• Right to buy sales
• Sales of portfolios of properties
• Properties not being sold with completely vacant possession
• Unsafe properties and properties to be demolished.

How can limeliving help me with my HIP?

Limeliving is working closely with one of the country's leading HIP providers at a competitive price. Once your HIP is ordered your property can go live on the market (i.e. you will not have to wait for the HIP to be complete). It will typically take 7 working days to prepare, dependent on how quickly the Energy Assessor can gain access to your property. The HIP will be made available to you via a web link once it is complete so you can then send it to serious prospective buyers, or print off a hard copy.