From 1 August, every home put on the market with four or more bedrooms and from 10th September all three bed houses, will need a Home Information Pack, which includes a home energy efficiency rating. The Pack includes an Energy Performance Certificate, containing advice on how to cut carbon emissions and fuel bills. Also included are documents such as a sale statement, searches and evidence of title. This is the first stage of Home Information Packs, which will soon be extended to smaller homes.
See details of what HIPS means for you as a Buyer or Seller by veiwing the government site. This is the Law please know that selling your property if eligable without this Pack is now Illegal.
You do not need a Home Information Pack for:
- Properties where there is no marketing (e.g. sale to member of your family)
- Non-residential properties
- Seasonal and holiday accommodation
- Mixed sales (e.g. shop with flat)
- Right to buy and similar sales
- Sales of portfolios of properties
- Properties not being sold with completely vacant possession
- Unsafe properties and properties to be demolished.
- Properties already on the market when the duty to have a Pack arises (eg. 1 August for sales of homes of 4 bedrooms and above
- New homes built under Part L of the Building Regulations 2006 (these will be brought in by a separate commencement order in due course)