Home Information Packs (HIP’s) contain important information that buyers and sellers need to know. The Packs including Energy Performance Certificates (EPC’s) were implemented on a phased basis which started on 1 August 2007.
What does a Pack contain?
Home Information Pack (Amendment) Regulations 2009 On 21 January 2009 a further amendment was made to the HIP Regulations confirming the position that a completed Property Information Form (PIQ) must be included in the HIP before First Day Marketing can begin. For the purpose of clarity the position is now: 1. From 6 April 2009 an agent must have the following minimum documents before First Day Marketing of a property can legally take place: Index Energy Performance Certificate or Predicted Energy Assessment Sale Statement Land Registry Title documents and Plan (or SIM result where the title is unregistered) Property Information Questionnaire (PIQ) 2. The PIQ must contain the responses to the questions completed by the seller. Therefore it is not compliant to include a blank copy of the PIQ in the HIP. 3. It is not possible to answer all the questions in the PIQ with ‘don’t know’ answers. Some of the questions can only be answered yes or no, or require specific information from the seller. 4. The HIP Regulations specifically advise agents about their responsibilities in relation to completing the PIQ under the Property Misdescriptions Act 1991. Estate Agents should therefore not make themselves liable to penalties under the PMA by completing the form themselves, but should use a HIP provider who can assist the seller to complete it on-line and without delays. From 6th April, 2009 a HIP will need to be in place prior to marketing a property for sale A new document called a Property Information Questionnaire (PIQ) will also need to be included within the HIP before First Day Marketing can begin.