Home Information Packs (H.I.Ps)
Firstly and contrary to what you might of heard, do not
worry!! Local experts with years of experience compile our packs in a fast
and efficient manor enabling you to concentrate on buying or selling.
Immediately you decide to put your house on the market, Rule & Rule
can instruct a number of locally established and experienced solicitors to prepare
a Home Information Pack (H.I.P) on your behalf. You will need to supply
some basic information to us and then your chosen provider will contact you immediately
to start the ball rolling. All properties now require a Home Information Pack.
You must commission this pack BEFORE the property goes on the market
and at present you are permitted to market the property immediately once you
have done this.
Please contact us if you require further assstamce.
Home Information Packs are the most significant change to the process
of buying and selling homes since English law was first unified in the 11th century
following the Norman Conquest — we jest not!
The HIPs, the most notable ingredient of which is an Energy Performance Certificate
(EPC), measuring the energy efficiency of the home for
sale, are the result of the Homes Act 2004 and provoked years of debate within
the property industry.
The idea of the Packs is that prospective buyers can exchange contracts much
more quickly and the property can be marketed before any HIP documents have been
obtained, as long as proof is provided that the documents have been ordered and
there is a belief that they will arrive within 28 days.
Once the EPC is available a HIP must be provided to prospective
purchasers. Other documents must be added when they become available. Whether
or not the HIP arrives before the property is taken off the market (agreement
to sale having been reached), an EPC must be provided
at exchange.