Why Choose The Little House Company HIPs

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Low Cost   Packs Complete in 3-8 days   Pay Online 24/7, Over the Phone, Cheque or Bank Transfer   Nationwide Coverage   Hip Code and AHIPP Registered   Track your Hip online 24 Hours   Fully Insured   No Fuss   You are kept informed by text and email   £249 + VAT

More reasons

• Energy Performance Certificate included
• Any property up to £2.5m
• Fully compliant HIPS at one simple price
• Reliable trustworthy supplier with proven track record
• HIP available within days
• Domestic Energy Assessor to visit according to your availability

£249.00 + VAT

Ordering process for HIPs

1. Make payment
2. We will contact you to obtain property details, owner details and contact information
3. A Domestic Energy assessor will contact you directly
4. HIP and EPC created for you and managed by our supplier

What is a HIP?

A Home Information Pack contains a variety of legal documents about a property being offered for sale including an energy rating certificate.

Home owners are required to provide a Home Information Pack (HIP) for buyers when a property is placed on the market for sale.

Home Information Packs relate to *marketing* of the property by any method - you don't need to be selling with an estate agent to purchase HIPS which are available from any authorised supplier.

What does a HIP contain?

The main documents included in the HIP consist of an energy rating certificate and other documents required to exchange contracts on the property, it does not contain a building condition survey.

These are the elements of a HIP

1.) The Home Information Pack Index

The Index lists the documents contained in the HIP and provides a checklist for sellers, buyers, estate agents and enforcement authorities.

If a document that must be included in the HIP is unavailable, the Index must say so, give the reason it is missing, and list what steps are being taken to get it.The Index should be updated whenever documents are added or removed.

2.) Property Information Questionnaire (PIQ)

The Property Information Questionnaire needs to be completed by the seller. It provides a helpful checklist of simple information about a property buyers need to know before making any decision on the property.

3.) Energy Performance Certificate/Predicted Energy Assessment

The Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) gives home owners, tenants and buyers information on the energy efficiency of their property.

New homes sold 'off-plan' will need to include a Predicted Energy Assessment (PEA).

4.) Sustainability information for newly built homes

The Code for Sustainable Homes measures the environmental impact of a new home against nine categories

5.) Sale statement

The sale statement provides some basic information about the property, including:

• the address of the property being sold 
  
• whether the property is freehold, leasehold or commonhold 
  
• whether the property is registered or unregistered 
  
• whether or not the property is being sold with vacant possession, for example with a sitting tenant 
  
• in what capacity the seller is selling the property (for example, selling on behalf of a deceased owner)

6.) Evidence of title

These documents prove who owns the property.If the property is registered, certain documents that are available on request from the Land Registry must be included in the HIP. These provide an up-to-date official record of who owns the land, and consist of:

7.) Standard searches

The Home Information Pack must include:

A search of the local land charges register for the property being sold

This is carried out by a local council or personal search company and you’ll receive an official search certificate.

A search of the records held by the local authority on matters of interest to buyers

This includes planning decisions and road building proposals. These are referred to as local enquiries in the Home Information Pack Regulations and are carried out by a local authority or personal search company.

Details of the provision of drainage and water services to the property

The local water company or a personal search company can be used (however, the search must comply with the HIP Regulations).

See the section on ‘Finding your local council or a personal search company’ in ‘HIPs: Compiling a Home Information Pack’ for more information about land searches.

Aren't 'free' HIPS offered by estate agents? Take great care, so-called 'free' Home Information Packs are ALWAYS subject to terms and conditions. Of course, it's not really 'free' at all, the cost of the HIP must be paid for (by you) at some point, usually by a higher commission rate on the property sale or a tie in clause, meaning that your agent 'owns' the HIP and you can't change to another agent if you need to.

Buying your HIP direct means that you (not the estate agent) own the HIP and can use it with any other agent or private marketing. It will also be cheaper than the true hidden cost of an agent's 'free' HIP.

The Little House Company has a special deal for our customers. We offer a HIP that you own yourself, with no restrictive terms and the freedom to market your home with any estate agent without penalty. This is not a 'free' HIP, but is probably the cheapest way to buy your HIP complete and direct. You can save even more by combining your conveyancing with the HIP.

Exemptions

A Home Information Pack is required to advertise any property for sale in England & Wales, with certain exemptions:

• Property not offered on the open market (e.g. direct sale to family member, neighbour, or friend)
• Non-residential property (i.e. shops or mixed commercial)
• Properties sold with sitting tenants
• homes on the market before HIPS were introduced

From 1 October 2008, all properties advertised for sale must have an EPC (Energy Performance Certificate), which is included automatically in our HIPS, but an EPC-only can be ordered separately if the property is exempt from HIPS.

Energy Performance Certificates:

An EPC must be made available for any home, free of charge, to a prospective buyer from the 1 October 2008. The requirement for an EPC is not dependent on marketing, but must be provided during any sale transaction 'at the earliest opportunity', or where any of the following events happens:

More about Energy Performance Certificates