When do the Packs come into effect?
1 June 2007
How long does a HIP last?
Until the home is sold, and if
it's taken off the market for less than a year and then re-marketed, the same
pack may be used.
Who compiles HIPs?
Sellers can hire estate agents,
solicitors, separate pack providers, or do it themselves.
Are HIPs required across the UK?
No - only in England and
Wales.
I'm selling my house privately - do I need a Home Information
Pack?
If you are marketing your property, even if it's just by
putting a 'for sale' sign in the window, you need a Pack.
How long is a Pack valid for?
Some documents can be no be more than
three months old when marketing starts, but there is no obligation to update
Packs as long as the property remains on the market.
No component of the Pack should be more than 12 months old on the day the
property goes on sale. For more details, see the regulations on the industry
site.
Who pays for the Pack?
The seller is responsible for the cost of a
Home Information Pack. The cost of the Pack is down to the market, but sellers
will often be able to defer costs until late in the sale.
How will I pay for the Pack?
This depends on the agreement between
the seller and the compiler of the Pack. Some examples of the ways that Packs
might be paid for are as follows:
- Seller pays for the Pack upfront from estate agent, solicitor or Pack
provider
- Seller compiles the Pack and pays each organisation for the relevant
component (e.g. the Land Registry for the title document)
- Estate agent offers the Pack to the seller on a 'no sale, no fee' basis,
where the cost of the Pack could be included in the estate agent's commission
- Estate agent offers the Pack to the seller on a 'buy now, pay on
completion' basis, which is usually a credit agreement for three or six months
between the seller and the organisation compiling the pack.
These are only indications of payment models; the Pack regulations do not
prescribe any particular payment method.
Do I have to put electrical certificates in my Pack?
Electrical
certificates (past or present) are not a required component of the Pack, but can
be included if the seller has them.
I've lost guarantees of work I have had done - what do I do?
Don't
worry - guarantees aren't a required component of the Pack, but can be included
if you have them.
What should I do if searches or leasehold documents are still
needed?
If any documents are still outstanding towards the end of the
28-day period, you may wish to look into the delay.
Should the pack include a Home Condition Report?
A Home Condition
Report could help you sell your property more quickly if it shows that it is in
good condition, or if it highlights any problems straight away for potential
buyers, it can avoid nasty surprises for buyers later in the process.
What does a Pack contain?
Required Documents - for example, the
evidence of title that proves it's yours to sell.
Optional Documents - such as the Home
Condition Report which gives buyers a clear idea of what work, if any, needs to
be done to the property.
If certain documents (i.e. searches, evidence of title for unregistered home
and leasehold/commonhold information) cannot be obtained in time, sellers can
start marketing with a Pack that includes an index, sale statement, evidence of
title and an Energy Performance Certificate only. However, the seller must be
able to show that the missing items have been commissioned, and are expected to
arrive as soon as practicable - certainly no later than 28 days of the property
being put on the market.
Further information about Home Information Packs:
