WHY Home Information Packs?

The Government responded to the EU requirement for homes to have an energy assessment by incorporating them into a new home seller's pack   called a HIP. This was introduced in 2007 and as well as an Energy Certificate includes other documents intended to simplify the process of selling a home.

These are:

• a Home Information Pack Index
• a Sale Statement
• Property Information Questionnaire (PIQ)
• standard Local Searches  
• evidence of Title
• other documents for leasehold or commonhold properties.

It was originally intended that a survey called a Home Condition Report should be included in the Pack but this is now an optional extra. An Energy Performance Certificate, however, remains compulsory for all houses or flats put up for sale. This was extended to   rented properties in October 2008.

From April 2009 it became compulsory to have basic HIP documents   produced before the property is put on the market. These include the EPC and PIQ but not the Local Authority and Water Company Searches as these can take weeks to come through. Epckent can usually provide the required documents within 5 days   from an   order being received, provided that access to the property for the energy survey can be arranged promptly.

You can order a Home Information Pack including an EPC or you can order an EPC on its own.

Fees for a complete HIP are

Fee structure:

Freehold property     £230

Leasehold property   £260