Information you need to know

What are HIPs?

Home Information Packs (HIPs) contain a set of documents about a property, such as:

- A Domestic Energy Assessment (DEA) - A Home Condition Report (HCR) - Standard searches - Land registry information - Legal summaries

Our inspections

HIPs and Energy Assessment Reports are supplied by fully-qualified inspectors with a Diploma in Home Inspection (DIPHI) provided by the Awarding Body for Built Environment (ABBE). All certification is SAVA-approved.

Who requires a HIP?

A Home Information Pack is legally required by anyone selling a property.

Your HIP is provided to potential buyers. They will have access to all the information about your home, and can make a decision quickly.

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What is a Home Information Pack (HIP)?

Home condition report

This is an objective report compiled during a detailed and careful inspection of a home. The report must be undertaken by a qualified licensed home inspector who has passed the VRQ level 4 in home inspection.

The Home Condition Report is signed off by the Home Inspector and can then be included in the home information pack.

 The Home Condition Report in plain English and technical surveying jargon is not used.

The inspection is a thorough assessment of every element of a building and its grounds including an energy assessment of the property. The level of detail is similar to a present "home buyers survey" without the valuation element.

The report is electronically generated in a standard format. The report highlights defects which allow homeowners the option to rectify before the property is marketed or obtain quotations so that a potential purchaser can see what the cost of repair is likely to be.

And / or an Energy Perfomance Certificate

During the home inspection, the home inspector will record the key information that affects the energy efficiency of a property. For example, the depth of insulation in the roof will be measured as will the efficiency of the boiler. All this data is entered into a computer program that calculates the energy efficiency and produces a result on an easy to read scale.

The energy report also includes energy saving measures that can be taken to reduce household bills. These include general recommendations applicable to us all and specific points for that individual property. The proposed measures are recommendations only and a guide price to the possible savings is also given.

The overall efficiency is shown on a colour bar chart similar to the energy stickers seen on a new fridge or freezer. The average rating of a new build property is also shown as comparison and the potential rating if the recommended measures are implemented can also be seen.

The Energy Performance Certificate produced for inclusion in a HIP pack for sale of a property is valid for as long as the new owner stays in the property.

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Contact us

We provide advice and reports for property sellers, estate agents, solicitors, and anyone involved in the professional property market in South Wales and throughout the UK.

For more information, please contact Andy Burgess:

AJB Home Inspections

mobile: 07786 707499

email:enquiries@ajbhomeinspections.co.uk

See us in the Home Inspectors Directory




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Our Terms

Service Agreement

At AJB Home Inspections we understand the need to be confident in the quality of your Home Information Pack. We ensure all components of your Packs are quality assessed and any Packs we provide are covered by our Professional Indemnity Insurance (PII) and each component of the pack carries its own PII.

Payment

We offer deferred payment schemes for Sellers and credit terms for property professionals. Contact us on 07786 707499 for further information.

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Frequently asked Questions

1. When do the Home Information Packs come into effect?

1st August 2007.

2. Which properties require a Home Information Pack?

All properties marketed from 14th December 2007 require a Home Information Pack.

3. Do domestic rental properties need a HIPs?

Domestic rental properties will need a EPC (energy performance certificate) from October 2008.

4. What if my property was on the market before 14 December?

If your property is 2 bedroom or under and you marketed prior to 14th December then you do not need a HIP. For 3 bedroom properties if you marketed prior to 10th September you do not need a HIP and for 4 bedroom and over if you marketed prior to 1st August you do not need a HIP.

5. How long does a Home Information Pack last?

Until the home is sold. If the home is taken off the market for less than a year and then re-marketed, the same Home Information Pack may be used.

6. Where do I get my HIP?

AJB Home Inspections, Estate Agents and Solicitors can provide you with a HIP.

7. 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 Home Information Pack. If you agree a sale privately, without marketing, you do not need a Home Information Pack.

8. How long is a Home Information Pack valid for?

Some documents can be no more than three months old when marketing starts, but there is no obligation to update Home Information Packs as long as the property remains on the market.

No component of the Home Information Pack should be more than 12 months old on the day the property goes on sale.

Electrical certificates (past or present) are not a required component of the Home Information Pack, but can be included if the Seller has them.

9. 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 Home Information Pack, but can be included if you have them.

10. 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 by contacting us on 07786 707499.

11. Should I put a Home Condition Report in the Home Information Pack?

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 later in the process.

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