Did you include the certificates in the HIP?

If so, why did your solicitor ask for them again?

These can be added as optional documents but not generally done routinely as they are not ‘compulsory’ though can easily be added if information is supplied.

Normally, information about extensions ie planning and building regs will be highlighted in the Local authority search. This includes application details but not actually certification.

It is worth remembering the HIP is not trying to remove conveyancing completely, though simply speed up and make the process smoother which it is doing in our opinion (as you may have guessed )

Exchange ready HIPs are being developed and considered; these will most probably include these kind of certificates.

Regards

I have now been asked for evidence that Building Regs & planning approval was sought for an extension on the house I’m selling. My response was “its in the HIP”; their reply “we need the certificates!”. Just another example of how useless the HIP is!!

Having found a buyer, I have now been asked to complete transact forms TA6 and TA10. Surprise, surprise, lots of the questions have already been answered on the PIQ and in the rest of the HIP.

Why do I need to provide this information again??

I am really sorry to hear about the poor service you were provided by another HIP provider, it certainly does not help the industry.

There are some ‘budget’ HIP providers and unfortunately their service and product can be comprimised due to the price you pay.

It is a shame you never contacted us as we prepare 99% of all EPCs within 3-5 working days, often sooner. We then have the property ready to be legally marketed 24 hrs after the EPC has been carried out. In some cases we can have had the property ready to market in 24 hrs but could and would not guarantee this.

We endeavour to provide a high standard of service to our clients, which includes this section of our site where try and help, discuss and inform people, even if they are not ‘our’ clients.

Obviously, as we specialise in HIPs and EPCs we have a vested interest in their existence. However, we also have a belief in the process and philosophy of the Home Information Pack. Though,I would certainly agree the implementation could of been improved in quite a few areas.

If the EPC has been completed Phil, it is really poor the provider you have chosen has not been able to quickly compile the information to allow legal marketing. I hope the sale goes slightly more smoothly for you.

With the greatest of respect your organisation, and any other who have gained from the HIP’s introduction, are clearly going to be in support of its existence. At the point it was realised that a survey (or at least a valuation) would not be included in the HIP, the whole project should have been abandoned.

With regard to the PIQ, there needs to be space provided to add comments rather than just the overly simplistic tick boxes. For example, the question regarding the electrical wiring in the property. I was forced to respond “dont know” because although the existing wiring was inspected and brought up to standard by the electrician who did the work on my new extension, I have no report to back this up. If there had been space for comments, I could have added this information. What is also confusing is that there is no signature required so what’s to stop unscrupulous homeowners telling a few white lies anyway?

Turning to the EPC, I have just waited nearly two weeks for the inspection to be performed on my property. After one cancelled appointment and two days off work, the individual who finally appeared to perform the assessment informs me that most buyers are not interested in them anyway! Their findings are based on numerous assumptions and are of very limited use – its not rocket science to work out for yourself how many low energy light bulbs are in a property!

Two weeks and two days wasted annual leave later, my house is still not on the market because the HIP is still not ready. The estate agent says they are not even allowed to inform potential buyers of my properties existence until they have the HIP complete.

The introduction of the HIP has been a very useful job creation exercise if nothing else. What a sorry mess the EU and the government have created between them!

There does seem to be debate over the PIQ as with most new legislation. The feedback we have received since implementation has been generally that the PIQ is quite straight forward and easy to complete. The PIQ is advised to be completed by the home owner, as per CLG guidance.

There does seem to be discussion taking place by industry professionals about including a survey in the future but this is far from confirmed at present. The initial plans for Home Information Packs was that they would contain a Home Condition Report HCR but this was objected to as a mandatory document.

I understand that you feel that a valuation and survey are vital. However, due to their absence, does this mean the other documents are useless?

We recently wrote an article about the benefits of Home Information Packs which detailed just ONE example of where the existence of HIP legislation had benefitted a sale.

You are correct. To remain legally compliant to the HIP regulations, if you have continually marketed your property you do not require a HIP.

Frankly, the questions are so vague is it untrue. This represents a ‘trap’ for the unwary and I have been advised to reply ‘Don’t know’ to some of the contentious questions like the one about access to your property. Does it refer to legal access or custom & practice? A solicitor is best equipped to answer some of these questions as part of the conveyancing as they are the experts, not the home owner.

The property I am purchasing has a HIP but this is of very little use because it does not contain two VITAL pieces of information – a valuation and a survey. Buyers want to know is the property fairly priced & is it about to fall down, not how much CO2 it produces!

This is just another piece of hurried nonsense from this government attempting to rescue the failed Home Information Pack. Shame on all involved in this piece of nonsense.