All You Need To Know About Home Information Packs (HIPs)

When you place your property for sale on the open market, you now need to produce a Home Information Pack (HIP). It is a legal requirement to have a HIP prior to marketing a residential property for sale. This is one of the most fundamental changes to the way we buy and sell properties in the UK. The intention of this key piece of legislation is to improve the buying and selling process by giving buyers more information from the outset, so they can make an informed decision early on and will therefore, help to reduce the number of aborted transactions that take place.

All Home Information Packs must contain:

• An index of information
• Terms of sale
• Evidence of title and a title plan
• For new properties, copies of warranties and guarantees
• Standard searches (that is, local authority inquiries, plus a drainage and water search)
• An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) (please see below for further details)
• A Property Information Questionnaire (PIQ)

If your property is leasehold, you must also provide:

• A copy of the lease
• Your most recent service charge accounts and receipts
• Building insurance policy details and payment receipts
• Copies of any regulations made by the landlord or management company
• The Memorandum and Articles of Association of the landlord or management company
• Where appropriate for leasehold properties, a new home warranty will also be required

The following documents may be included in the HIP but are optional:

• A home condition report, based on a professional survey of the property
• Replies to standard preliminary inquiries made on behalf of the potential buyers
• Copies of any planning, listed building and building regulation consents and approvals
• Any guarantees for work carried out on the property
• Other searches

What is an Energy Performance Certificate and who will provide it?

• An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) will tell home buyers and sellers about a home’s energy efficiency - using A to G ratings
• The certificate will also make recommendations for cost-effective energy saving improvements
• The EPC will be carried out by Domestic Energy Assessors who have undertaken a course in order to attain an approved accreditation
• See fig.1 below

How do I get a HIP?
It’s simple, instruct Gibbs Gillespie to sell your property and we’ll arrange everything for you.

What are the benefits of a Gibbs Gillespie Premium HIP?
Gibbs Gillespie offers its clients a high quality HIP service at an excellent price that will allow your property to be marketed immediately:

• Includes a RICS quality floorplan and professional photography.  
• A dedicated HIP team who will take all the hassle out of arranging your HIP.
• “A no strings attached policy” - once complete, the HIP is yours to keep.
• Your HIP will be fully compliant with the PCCB HIP Code, which means that all the required documents will be included and acceptable to solicitors. 

Do I have to use Gibbs Gillespie to get a HIP?
No. You are free to arrange your own HIP; however we would recommend that you use a reputable supplier, who is an accredited member of the PCCB HIP Code.

What if I already own a HIP?
We will just need you to send a copy to our HIP team for validation. We must be in receipt of your HIP before the marketing of your property can commence.

What is the Property Codes Compliance Board (PCCB) HIP Code?
The PCCB is a regulatory body established to maintain a register of firms committed to operating within their standards of practice and to independently monitor compliance with the code. The main aim of the PCCB HIP Code is to increase consumer protection for buyers, sellers, estate agents and conveyancers who rely on the information included within a HIP.

As our HIP provider is a member of this code, you can rest assured that all information provided is of the highest standard and is in compliance with all their regulations.

What is a Property Information Questionnaire (PIQ)?
The PIQ is a checklist of simple information about a property aimed at helping the buyer to make an informed decision. A variety of information is required, including gas and electrical safety, flood risk, details of previous structural damage and information about council tax and parking arrangements. It is the responsibility of the seller to complete this form and to provide accurate information.

What happens next?
Once you have instructed Gibbs Gillespie the following must be completed before we are able to market your property:

Option One
Ordering a Premium HIP through Gibbs Gillespie

1. We will place an order on your behalf with our approved HIP supplier who will call you directly for payment and then ask you to call +44 (0)844 244 2992 to swiftly process the checklist of information on the PIQ. 
    
2. We will arrange for one of our datographers to visit your property to carry out the legally required EPC and to minimise disruption and to speed up the marketing process collect the information for professional photography and floorplan.

As soon as the HIP is complete (including the EPC and PIQ) we can begin marketing your property.

Option 2
Providing your own HIP

You will need to provide the instructed Gibbs Gillespie office with a copy of your fully compliant HIP via email or post.

As soon as we have received your HIP we can begin marketing your property.

And Finally ...
For further information on HIPs, call +44 (0)844 244 0354 or contact your local Gibbs Gillespie consultant.

fig. 1