Frequently Asked Questions
Why you need a HIP
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 on the property at the start of the process, free of charge.
This means there's 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.
You don’t need a HIP for:
- properties where there is no marketing, for example if you are selling to a member of your family non-residential properties
- properties limited by law to use as holiday accommodation or occupation for less than 11 months per year
- mixed sales, for example a shop with flat
- sales of portfolios of properties, for example selling two properties together
- properties not being sold with completely vacant possession, for example with a sitting tenant unsafe properties and properties due to be demolished
- properties sold through the ‘Right to Buy’, ‘Right to Acquire’ and ‘Social HomeBuy’ home ownership schemes
New builds
You need to provide a HIP for newly built properties. For details of what needs to be provided for a newly built property, follow the link below.
Whats in a HIP?
The following documents are compulsory and must be included in a Pack:
- Home Information Pack Index
- Property Information Questionnaire (PIQ)
- Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) or Predicted Energy Assessment (PEA)
- sale statement
- evidence of title
- standard searches (local authority and drainage and water)
- Additional information for leasehold and commonhold sales, where appropriate.
How long does a HIP last for?
While the property is on the market, there is no need to update the HIP. If the sale of your property stops and then 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.
Do you have to provide a HIP?
You should provide a copy of your HIP to every potential buyer if they want it. You can refuse to provide a HIP to the buyer if you believe that:
- they could not afford the property, eg people who don't have an ‘in principle’ mortgage
- they are not really interested in buying the property, eg a journalist posing as a buyer to get a HIP of a celebrity’s home
- they are not a person who you would wish to sell the property to (but this doesn't mean you can unlawfully discriminate against someone)
What happens if you don't provide a HIP?
If you don't provide a HIP then you or the person marketing the property could face a fixed penalty notice (currently set at £200).
For more information please click on the following link:
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