Ans.: A HIP is a set of documents that provides the buyer with key information on the property and must be provided by the seller or the seller's agent. It is a legal requirement to have a HIP and you can't market your property without one.

The HIP lets buyers see important information about the property at the start of the process, free of charge. This means there is less chance of buyers becoming aware of any surprises at the end of the process. The HIP can help reduce delays and extra expense to the buyer and seller.

Ans.: In most cases, the Estate Agent instructed by the Seller; but can actually be the Seller themselves. The HIP must have been commissioned by the responsible party by the time the property is placed on the market and an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) together with any other relevant documents must be provided upon request.

Ans.: While the property is on the market, there is no need to update the HIP. If the sale of your property stops andthen starts again, you may have to compile a new HIP and provide up-to-date documents.However, you can carry on using the same HIP without the need to update any of the documents where:

•   marketing stopped because an offer was accepted and the sale has fallen through (but remarketing must start within one year of the date when marketing first began or, if later, within 28 days of the sale falling through)
•   marketing has stopped for any other reason and the seller remarkets the property within one year of the date when marketing first began.

The effect of this is that the HIP has a shelf-life of at least 12 months for the seller.

In the event that the sale stops for any other reason, provided that the property is remarketed within one year, the existing HIP may be used.

Ans.: The HIP is made up of required (compulsory) and authorised(optional) items.

There shouldn't be any marketing or advertising material in the pack, so make sure it contains official information only.

From 6 April 2009, the HIP must be available and contain the following documents on the first day a property is put on the market:

•   Home Information Pack Index
•   Property Information Questionnaire (PIQ)
•   Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) or Predicted Energy Assessment (PEA)
•   sustainability information (required for newly built homes)
•   sale statement
•   evidence of title

If the following documents are unavailable when marketing begins, they should be added to the HIP as soon as they are available. These documents must be included within 28 days of the date the property was first placed on the market:

•   standard searches (local authority and drainage and water)
•   a copy of the lease for leasehold properties
•   commonhold documents, where appropriate

Ans.: We are able to help with this through our solicitor/specialist pack provider relationships. We will advise you on what documents are required and will assist with the appointment of your DEA/Home Inspector thus taking the stress out of marketing your home. The cost of providing the HIP will be advised by and payable to the third party.

Ans.: The Home Information Pack provides key information needed by a potential buyer prior to commencement of the home-buying process and is designed to ensure a much smoother and quicker process. It allows the potential buyer to view all relevant documents before making an offer and provides answers to several key questions. A HIP ensures that your sale will not be hampered or delayed by local searches or the obtaining of crucial documents necessary for exchange of contracts.

Ans.: The cost of an HIP is set by the market and, whilst the overall costs of buying and selling are similar to those prior to the introduction of the HIP, these costs are more evenly distributed.

The EPC is compulsory and will be paid for by the seller at extra cost, though a small fraction of the total cost of selling your home.

The Seller is obliged to provide an HIP free of charge to any potential buyer but the regulations to allow the Seller/Estate Agent to charge reasonable costs for copying and postage.

Ans.: There are exceptions where you or Churchill Estates as your Estate Agent will be entitled to turn down a request for an HIP without incurring any penalty:

• 
    Where it is felt that the buyer cannot afford the property in question, we will request evidence of a financial arrangement or “in principle” agreed mortgage.
•    Where the potential buyer is uninterested
•   Where you, as the Seller, simply do not wish to provide a HIP to a particular individual as you have no intention of selling to them (current regulations allow this to be refused without any reason).

Ans.: The Home Information Pack (HIP) provided important information crucial to assisting the buyer in the decision of whether to proceed with the purchase of a new property. You should ask us for a copy of the HIP for any property you are interested in and check that this is complete and that a satisfactory reason is given in the Index for any missing documents. We will obviously also assist in ensuring that any such documents are provided to you upon request as soon as possible.

The Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) provides information in respect of the energy efficiency of the property and may include further details regarding recommended improvements relating to cutting of carbon emissions or fuel bills.

The HIP may also contain a Home Condition report which is an objective report voluntarily commissioned by the Seller on the condition of the property.

Other documents included in the HIP are the results of searches and evidence of title, usually things which can impede the smooth running of the sale process.

Ans.: Leasehold – a copy of the lease or any property charges obtained when the property was purchased. If this information has been lost, the Seller may obtain a further copy from the Land Registry Office, though it is likely that you will be charged a fee.

Other documents required Include:

•   Information regarding service charges
•   Details of the current lessor/whoever responsible for managing the property
•   Management rules
•   Details of any proposed works to the property or building in which it is located and the amount of any service charge required as a result

NB: The above documents are usually available from the Landlord or Building Manager but copies may incur a charge.

Commonhold – official copies of the individual register or title plan relating to the common parts and commonhold community statement referred to in the register. Again, copies of such documents may be obtained from the appropriate Land Registry Office for a fee.

Other documents required include:

•   Any other regulations made for the purpose of managing the commonhold and any property charges to them
•   Recent regulations for financial contributions in respect of the property
•   Details of the managing agent/other party responsible for managing the commonhold
•   Details of any proposed works to the property or common parts.