Currently, much of the essential information needed by home buyers and
sellers only comes to light when an offer has been made and accepted.
In the meantime, buyers are negotiating in the dark and are often
wasting money on legal fees, searches and surveys. The Government
has introduced HIPs to ensure that the information is available up front,
at the time of marketing a property. This together with energy ratings are seen as an improvement as it will make the home buying and selling process more efficient and transparent. Having local searches included in the packs also speed up the process of the transaction.


They aim to take the stress out of buying and selling a home by providing key information upfront. Every Pack will include an Energy Performance Certificate which, like fridges will provide A - G ratings on the energy efficiency of a home, plus advice on how to make further energy savings. The Packs will also include information such as local / planning / water searches and other legal documents. A Home Condition Report giving details on the condition of a property can also be included in the Packs on a voluntary basis but to begin with, buyers will still have to make their own arrangements in terms of arranging a survey on the property.


From 6th April 2009 the ruling on HIPS will change. New government legislation applicable to all estate agents now states that a property must have a completed HIP in order to begin marketing. There are certain parts of the HIP that need to be completed and other parts that you have 28 days to get. If your HIP provider fails to comply with these rules then you WILL NOT be allowed on the market until they are resolved. If after the 28 day period the information needed is not available then you will be withdrawn from the market.

The mandatory documents for marketing to begin are as follows:

1. Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
2. Property Information Questionnaire (PIQ)
3. Index listing the content of the HIP
4. A sale Statement summarizing the terms of sale
5. Evidence of title

The following information needs to be added within 28 days of your first marketing date:

1. Standard searches
2. A copy of the lease (where applicable)
3. Documents showing proof of title (unregistered properties only)

House Network are pleased to announce that we can offer fast-track HIPS for £249+vat, this includes everything required in the information above in order to begin first day marketing, including your EPC and PIQ. The EPC will actually be carried out on the day of the home visit to avoid any delays, the PIQ (Property Information Questionnaire) will also be available to complete online as soon as you have instructed us, meaning you have no unnecessary paperwork or delays. Nothing needs to be sent in the post we take care of the whole process for you. The 28 day period is acceptable to us and there should be no delays whatsoever in your marketing.

A word of warning
There are many HIP providers out there that use a panel of Energy Inspectors to carry out the EPC, they are more likely to take longer to get to you if this is the case and this will delay all marketing. The PIQ will more than likely be needed to be sent via post as well so this will add further cost and time. House Network can provide online access to the PIQ and we can get the EPC completed on the same day of the home visit.

If you order a HIP from a third party then we are also relying on them to provide all documentation within 28 days and if this is not the case then you will be de-listed immediately. We strongly advise you to consider our HIPS to avoid any delays. We have no control over 3rd party HIPS and cannot market you until we are satisfied with the information that they provide to us. We cannot dedicate time to chase them for these additional documents, this will have to be chased by you. If you do decide to use a third party for HIPS then please ensure that they are competent and can service your needs within the correct timeframes.