A HIP must be in place, not just ordered, before houses can be put up for sale

According to new legislation, from 6 April all houses must have a Home Information Pack or HIP in place, not just ordered, before they can be put up for sale.

Sellers can currently commission and pay for a HIP and market their house for up to 28 days before the HIP is completed.

From 6 April, the HIP must be available at the time the property comes on the market.

In addition, vendors will have to complete a Property Information Questionnaire (PIQ) which will provide summary information about the property.

Details included in the PIQ are designed to help a buyer decide whether to view a property and indeed whether to make an offer.

PIQ information will include such as

• flood risk details
• gas and electricity safety
• service charges
• which council tax band the house falls in
• parking arrangements
• any structural damage or alterations that have been made.

A HIP has to include a variety of documents, in addtion to the PIQ, including

• Energy Perfomance Certicifate or Predicted Energy Assessment
• Sale statement
• Local Authority searches
• Lease, if applicable

The Local Authority searches and Lease can still follow up to 28 days later if not available from the start.

In addition to the above, new houses also require a Sustainability Certificate.

According to the government website, as a result of HIPs, over a million homes now have energy ratings.