HIPS - Home Information Packs - Buy Direct

In a dramatic U-turn the Government was forced to delay the introduction of The Home Information Pack by 2 months from 1st June 2007 to 1st August 2007. The delay was a direct result of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) winning a judicial review of Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) which has prevented EPCs becoming law on 1st June 2007.

HIPS from £349.99 inc vat (£297.86 +vat) - Order Yours Now >>

The Law now states:

• The Introduction of HIPS and Energy Performance Certificates (EPCS) will start on the 1st August 2007 in a phased approach.
• 4+ bedroom properties require a HIP from 1st August 2007, unless previous on the market.
• 3 bedroom properties will require a HIP from 10th September 2007, unless previous on the market.
• 2 bedrooms or less will require a HIP from 14th December 2007, unless previous on the market.
• A property can be marketed as soon as a HIP has been ordered.

What are Home Information Packs?

Home information packs (HIPS) contain documents to help speed up the selling process. A pack will consist of various documents such as local searches and a Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) that the buyer can view before deciding whether they wish to purchase the property.

Do I have to have a HIP from 1st August?

As from 1st August 2007 four bedroom or larger properties In England and Wales are required to have a HIP. These properties can be marketed without a HIP as long as a HIP has been ordered.

HIPS from £349.99 inc vat (£297.86+vat) - Order Yours Now >>

Are 4 bedroom homes which were on the market before 1st August Exempt?

Yes, The Home Information law states (Note: commencement date means when HIPS start e.g. 1st August 2007 for 4 bedroom homes)

• the property is put on the market by or on behalf of the seller before the commencement date;
• action taken at any time during the period starting with 1st June 2006 and ending before the commencement date by or on behalf of the seller, made public the fact that the property was on the market;
• such action was taken with the intention of selling the property before the commencement date; and
• such action was sustained to a reasonable extent after it was put on the market, during the period stated with 1st June 2006 and ending before the commencement date.

This means as long as your property is on the market BEFORE 1st August you do not require a HIP. You can even change agents or advertise privately and still not require a HIP as long as there is no break in the marketing.

HIPS from £349.99 inc vat (£297.86+vat) - Order Your Now >>

What about 3 bedroom properties?

3 bedroom properties new to the market after 10th September will require a Home Information Pack. Those on the market before 10th September do not require a HIP.

What about 2 bedroom or smaller properties?

From 14th Dec 2007 2 bed homes and smaller new to market require a HIP.

How do I get a HIP?

You can either:

• Create a pack yourself, which will still cost you over £450 once you have paid for the local searches and the EPC
• Pay £400 to £800 to a 'HIP Provider' to create the pack for you.
• Allow an Estate Agent to Supply the pack - never do this!! Read On >>>
• Houseladder can supply a HIP from £349.99 inc vat (£297.86+vat) - Order Your HIP Now >>

HIPS from £349.99 inc vat (£297.86+vat) - Order Your HIP Now >>

Why You Should NEVER Let An Estate Agent Supply The HIP?

The worse financial option, is to let your Estate Agent supply the Home Information Pack. BE AWARE!, your Estate Agent may lead you into one or more of the following traps:

• Offer a Free HIP - Then simple raise the commission level to Pay For It.
• Offer a Free HIP - But if you leave, they will charge you under the clause 'You will pay any reasonable marketing expenses'. Expect a bill for £500 to £1000.
• You will NOT be able to use multiple Estate Agents - You will be tied.
• You will NOT be able to sell privately, thus pay £1000s in commission.
• The Agent will own the HIP, so you will not be able to transfer it to another Agent. The HIP will have the agents logo and name printed on it. A HIP from Houseladder is white label i.e. it does not have our brand on it and can be used with any estate agent.
• You pay for the HIP at an inflated costs - Agents make large commission on every HIP they sell.
• If you change agent, you will need to pay for another HIP, at another inflated price
• Offer delayed payment. However the HIP will cost more, normally £50 to £150 more.

The best option is to simply purchase your own HIP independently. This gives you the freedom to market your property how you want, use any or multiply Estate Agents, and purchase your HIP for the cheapest Price.

HIPS from £349.99 inc vat (£297.86+vat) - Order Yours Now >>

What is to be included in a pack?

The mandatory documents are

1. An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). This will provide an A - G ratings on the energy efficiency of a home, plus advice on how to make further energy savings. Only those who are fully qualified and certificated will be allowed to prepare an Energy Performance Certificate.
2. A sale statement which summarises terms of sale.
3. Standard searches (i.e. local authority enquiries and a drainage and water search)
4. Evidence of title: An official copy of the individual register and an official copy of the title. If one is not available, provide proof that you have tried to obtain one.
5. An index (i.e. a list of the contents of the pack) . This has to be updated when you amend the pack, that is include/ remove or update any documents accordingly.
6. A copy of the lease (where appropriate)
7. Commonhold information (where appropriate)

HIPS from £349.99 inc vat (£297.86+vat) - Order Yours Now >>

Order Your Own Home Information Pack

We can supply the best value Home Information Packs from only £349.99 inc vat (£297.86 ex vat). Delivery time is normally 7 to 14 days and you receive a PDF electronic HIP and for a limited time a printed version free of charge (Normally £20). Unlike all our competitors, all our quotes include VAT. Once your HIP is ordered, you can advertise your property on Houseladder immediately, or use it with any Estate Agent.

How Much

We believe we can supply the best value Home Information packs available today. You can pay by either credit card, debit card or cheque.

Freehold £349.99 inc vat (£297.86 + vat) Order your HIP online >>

Leasehold £379.99 inc vat (£323.40 + vat) Order your HIP online >>

Commonhold £379.99 inc vat (£323.40 + vat) Order your HIP online >>

View our HIPs terms and conditions here.

3 Simple and Fast Ways to Order Your HIP

Online: Order your HIP online. Takes less than 5 minutes.

By Phone: Call us on 0845 226 2467 Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm

By Post or Fax: Print this application form and post or fax it to us