HIPs - Frequently Asked Questions...
A HIP is a collection of documents which the law now requires home sellers to provide on their property. Until 6th April 2009 a basic HIP will include an Energy Performance Certificate, evidence of title documents, Personal Local Search, Drainage and Water Search, Index and Sales Statement. From 6th April 2009 basic HIPs will also include a PIQ (Property Information Questionnaire) which is a form to be completed by the seller.
Do we need the completed HIP before the property is marketed?
Until 6th April 2008 the HIP does not have to be completed prior to marketing, but you do need proof that the HIP has been commissioned, which Quidos provide as soon as the order is received.
From 6th April 2009 a HIP will be required prior to putting your property on the market. The HIP must include the HIP Index, Sale Statement, official copies of the registers and filed plan for registered land and an Index Map search for unregistered land. Other Mandatory documents will be required within 28 days of the start of marketing.
The EPC should also be included in your HIP before marketing starts – please ask for details.
Quidos is fully prepared for this change and in order to speed up the process we will be offering a ‘light HIP’ approximately 2-3* days from receipt of order for no extra charge. This will contain all the documents required for marketing your property.
Who needs a HIP?
Since 14 December 2007 every home put on the market in England and Wales no matter what size, must have a Home Information Pack.
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 Pack. Sales where no marketing takes place (e.g. to a member of the family) won't need a Pack.
What if I can supply the EPC?
Many estate agents have employed their own, in house Domestic Energy Assessors. If you want to supply the EPC to us, we can include it with the rest of the documents and produce the HIP.
Do you supply printed HIP's?
Quidos can supply a professionally printed and bound HIP for £20 per copy. This price includes delivery, which takes up to 3 working days.
How long do Quidos HIPs take to produce?
Quidos supplies a ‘Confirmation of Order’ certificate back within 24 hours, which at present is sufficient to allow an agent to commence the marketing process.
All HIPs on average are delivered back within 5 working days, but because some searches can take significantly longer, depending on the Local Authority, to acquire, the final, completed version might not be available for some time after that. There is no current legal requirement for searches to be made available in a HIP prior to marketing, so this should not affect the sale process too greatly.
Do Quidos HIPs include official or personal searches?
Quidos HIPs include personal searches as standard. These are supplied by a major national search provider and are covered by substantial insurance policies in the event of any inaccuracy (details of which can be provided).
We can supply Official Searches if required, but these will vary in price depending upon the Local Authority. Prices are available on application.
Can I have my HIP branded with my company logo and colours?
Yes. Supply a logo, colours or style sheet to us, and we can customise the look and feel of your HIPs to match your existing corporate branding, free of charge.
How do I pay?
To keep our prices as competitive as possible, Quidos require upfront payment for all HIPs unless you wish to defer the payment (see below).
Payment can be made by over the phone , by cheque or we can arrange an electronic payment by BACS.
Can I defer payment?
Quidos offers clients the option to defer payment for up to 10 months through an agreement with a major national finance house. This is a more expensive option, but shifts the cost of the HIP towards the end of the sale process.
Terms and conditions apply, please ask for more information.
*Please note turn around time is approximate and depends on EPC appointment availability and receipt of the PIQ (must be completed by vendor). Title documents may also take longer to obtain for unregistered properties.
April Changes - Coming Soon
