Most probably yes. If you are selling a property in England or Wales, with an estate agent or privately, regardless of it's age or number of bedrooms, you are legally required buy a HIP.

 

What actually is a HIP?

 

A HIP or Home Information Pack is a document containing about 50 pages. It can be printed out or kept as an electronic document. It must contain the following official documents:

• An Index of contents.
• An Energy Performance Certificate.
• A sale statement (summarising terms of sale).
• Evidence of title.
• Land and Drainage Searches.
• Property Information Questionnaire.
• A copy of the lease where appropriate.

Our HIPs contain all of these official documents.

 

What is the total price I will have to pay for a HIP?

 

We charge from £230.00 for a freehold property HIP. Leasehold HIP prices are £250.00.

How long will the HIP take to arrive?

The basic HIP, which is needed for marketing as from 6th April 2009, should arrive within one working week (dependant on access to the property for the energy survey to be completed). The completed HIP, including the local searches is normally ready after two-three working weeks.

Will your HIP allow me to sell my property with an estate agent?

Yes. When you have placed your order, you will be sent an email confirming your order, your HIP is now under way. Prior to your estate agent being able to market the property the following will need to have been completed: 

Index

Property Information Questionnaire

Energy Performance Certificate or Predicted Energy Assessment

Sustainability Certificate (new homes only)

Sale Statement

Land Registry Documents

Will somebody need to visit my property?

 

Yes one of our trained Domestic Energy Assessors will contact you shortly after you have placed your order to arrange a convenient time to visit your property. The visit will take approximately one hour and will include tasks such as measuring your rooms, checking for insulation and examining your light bulbs and boiler systems etc.

 

Could our property fail the energy inspection?

 

No, you do not pass or fail the energy inspection. Your property will be assigned a grade between A - G depending on how energy efficient it is. You will also be provided with a report explaining how you could improve the energy efficiency of your home.

 

How do we know which HIP company to use?

 

There are lots of HIP providers out there, and like choosing any other type of company we would recommend that you pick a company that looks professional, that has been established for some time, and one that offers a reasonable price.

Are your HIPs as good as the ones that cost up to and over £300?

Yes our HIPs will contain exactly the same documents as any other HIP.

 

Are we obliged to use MM&I Energy for any other services?

 

No. You can simply buy a HIP or EPC from us and nothing else.

Do you provide a paper copy of the HIP?

Our HIPs are sent to you in digital format as an email attachment (a PDF file). This isn't as complicated as it might sound. When you receive your HIP email, you can read through it on your computer and then forward the email to your estate agent and/or prospective buyers with the click of the mouse. The government guidelines allow this and even state that if a buyer requests a hard copy, you are allowed to charge them a fee to print it and post it.
HIPs contain between 50-80 pages, so in order to save trees we recommend that you do not print them out.

 

Are you qualified to compile HIPs?

 

All our HIPs are compiled by Autohips (The Vessey Partnership) who are registered under the HIP Code. This is an independent regulatory board ensuring that their HIPs comply to the government guidelines.

All of our Energy Assessors are fully trained and accredited.

Our land searches are obtained from a company who is a member of the Search Code.