10-09-07, UpMyStreet ©
From September 10, Home Information Packs are required for three-bedroom properties as well as larger sized homes. This means that 60% of people looking to sell their homes in England and Wales will need to arrange a HIP before they can put their property on the market.
The first six weeks of HIPs
Following an eleventh hour decision to delay the full launch of HIPs in June, the packs were introduced in August for properties with four or more bedrooms only.
According to the Government's review of the first six weeks of the launch, the average pack takes five days to compile, costs around £300 plus VAT, and has led to 85 local authorities lowering their search fees.
Improving energy ratings
One of the reasons behind the extension of the scheme now is to improve energy efficiency in homes of all sizes. Larger properties have so far achieved worse than expected energy ratings. The average four-bedroom property achieved an 'E' rating in their energy performance certificate, but had the opportunity to raise this to a 'C' by considering energy saving measures such as insulation.
The roll-out continues
If the extension of HIPs to three-bedroom homes goes smoothly, property market experts suggest they could be made compulsory for all property sales by the end of the year.
Dominic Toller of HIP provider LMS says: "The full benefit of HIPs will only be felt when every part of the property chain has a pack. We now call on the Government to announce when the complete roll-out of HIPs will take place."
Critics unconvinced?
While HIP providers believe the initial HIPs roll-out has been a success, home buyers and sellers are less enthusiastic - 84% of UpMyStreet users believe that HIPs should be scrapped altogether.
Related articles
We now call on the Government to announce when the complete roll-out of HIPs will take place.
Dominic Toller, HIP providers LMS
What a HIP needs to contain:
Terms of sale - a description of the property and why it is being sold
Title deeds
Replies to standard preliminary enquiries made on behalf of buyers
Copies of any planning, listed building and building regulations consents and approvals
Copies of warranties and guarantees for new-build properties
Commonhold information, including commonhold community statement or New Homes Warranty
EPC - a five-page detailed examination of your home's energy efficiency and a rating
Home condition report - now only voluntary
Keith (Huddersfield) (Kirklees), on 25/11/2007 at 16:12
It's because of selfish attitudes like this that the environment is going to hell in a handcart. Do you not care about your fellow man, the millions suffering drought conditions in Africa, the thousands of people killed in Bangladesh by freak weather conditions, all the people who had their lives tuned upside down by last summers' floods, the list goes on and on. We have to be aware of the damage our behaviour inficts on the planet, one such way is by the Energy Reports, okay it's not perfect, but anything that gets people thinking about the impact our continuous over use of the limited natural resources has on the future of mankind, can't be bad.
Mr. Average (Wandsworth), on 21/11/2007 at 12:28
Alan (Macclesfield), on 20/11/2007 at 18:23
This goverment thinks were here to be ripped off ...... and guess what were letting them !!! Hips are no good to seller , let alone the buyer.
If your buying anywhere in the uk youll need a survey for your mortgage and building societys dont give a damn for HIPS, EVERYTHING THAT NEEDS TO BE REPORTED ON WILL BE FOUND IN YOUR SURVEY AND FROM THE SEARCH that you need to take out ,so whats the point ......its a GOVERMENT BACK DOOR TAX SCAM !!! and when i sell my property in the near future i WILL NOT PAY FOR THIS SCAM . ITS ABOUT TIME THIS GOVERMENT WERE KICKED UP THE ARSE AND ONTO TO DOLE CUE.
i thought DICK TURPIN WAS DEAD obviously not , my history teacher was an arse too.
Tadaima (West Dorset), on 17/11/2007 at 13:48
Just in process of buying house. Told estate agent and vendor that they could keep the HIP. Searches etc are being done by my solicitor. Could'nt give a toss about energy efficiency info - that is common sense. Its an old house and I will insulate and do whatever else is needed as i have always done. At the end of the day it is my money so i want control.
Tigg (Basingstoke and Deane), on 11/11/2007 at 15:39
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Mike (Warrington), on 08/11/2007 at 01:58
If the government are so concerned about saving energy and the environment perhaps the Primeminister should kick of by walking across to the House of Commons instead of driving the 1/4 mile in a big petrol guzzling care together with hid cronies, of jetting of to the USA when his boss George requests his presence, leave us honest workers to get on with what is already a very expensive time without taking more of the poor first time buyers.
We cannot all afford to by our offspring flats in Bristol while our children are attending university, can we Sheri and Tony.
Jack.
Mike (Warrington), on 08/11/2007 at 01:47
I will be selling my house myself without the use of an estate agent, and as far as a hips report goes the government can kiss my proverbial.
Becky.
Mike (Warrington), on 08/11/2007 at 01:37
I am in the process of selling my house and on top of all the other fees (STAMP DUTY) payable we now find the government imposing yet another expense (HIP REPORT)in what is already an expensive
undertaking.
I would suggest that a hip report provides nothing to make the selling and buying of a house any better, just more expensive.
When these reports are eventually scrapped I hope the government are prepared to compensate those like myself who have already suffered the expense of having to have a HIP report.
Mike.
From Cheshire
harriss10 (Coventry), on 26/10/2007 at 21:48
HIP s ae a big rip off you get a hip then the esate sgent can say its not goods enough do the seller gets canned twice
home seller (Solihull), on 26/10/2007 at 13:27
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