HIP-info please

grumpy-old-woman_2

I have looked at the gov website about these which states that all houses on the market after Dec07 should have one. Is this correct as I am sure I was reading a thread here which implied that the date changed and houses do not yet have to have one. ? can houses be on the market which do not have one if they are only a couple of months in? Is it a legal obligation?

sorry for these questions. I have been following a few threads but thought I would ask my specific questions.

Also a more recent thread has said that they dont have a cert for the gas boiler. Is this part of the HIP as I could not see it mentioned unless I missed it.

I think basically what I am asking is that if I look to buy a house should there be one of these packs and what happens if there isnt one. Would it also apply to empty properties or those which have been repossesed ? sorry for all the questions.

Richard_Webster

Unless:
1. the property has been continuously on the market since the relevant dates in August, September or December 2007 (depending upon the kind of property)
and
2. subject to some very limited exceptions such as mixed use (e.g. shop with living accommodation above) or a property that is already let
any property now being being marketed needs a HIP.

The HIP will not tell you whether or not the gas boiler has a certificate, nor whether the boiler is working properly or not. It's only practical use for most buyers is that it can save them the cost of a local search. A water/drainage search is also included, but although of interest I would hardly say that it is vital in most cases. You also get an Energy Performance Certificate with pretty graphs and information about the kind of amounts you might save on heating bills if you installed better loft insulation and energy saving light bulbs etc.

Repossessed and empty properties should have HIPs. If there isn't a HIP then the seller might get taken to court for not providing one. From a typical buyer's point of view not having a HIP will increase his legal costs and disbursements on the purchase typically by around £100-£150.

grumpy-old-woman_2

thanks for the info

stormCat99

Hi,

Our agent called today with a viewing request for tomorrow. Howver they also said that we now need an EPC + something else (sorry, husband spoke to them and couldn't remember, but something from a HIP) otherwise they can't complete any viewings.

Until now, we've not required a HIP because we've been continuously on the market since before the dates they were required. I've tried searching on the web but haven't found anything - has there been some change in the law recently that I need to know about, which means we now need a HIP or part of a HIP?

We need to know asap as the viewing will be tomorrow night - but agent won't let us do viewing unless we have sorted this out.

Many thanks.

bo_drinker

There has been or is a change coming where everything needs a HIP report regardless how long it has been for sale. Your agent should have known this. It was or is very soon, sorry a bit vague.

david29dpo

boots_babe wrote: »

Hi,

Our agent called today with a viewing request for tomorrow. Howver they also said that we now need an EPC + something else (sorry, husband spoke to them and couldn't remember, but something from a HIP) otherwise they can't complete any viewings.

Until now, we've not required a HIP because we've been continuously on the market since before the dates they were required. I've tried searching on the web but haven't found anything - has there been some change in the law recently that I need to know about, which means we now need a HIP or part of a HIP?

We need to know asap as the viewing will be tomorrow night - but agent won't let us do viewing unless we have sorted this out.

Many thanks.

As from Oct 1st, all houses on the market without a HIP now need an EPC, not a full HIP. Get one for £50.00 ish

david29dpo

And if the rummer is right that all houses on the market without a HIP will need one after Jan 1st, your EPC can go in it, dont buy another one.

stormCat99

Thanks for the replies. Given that we apparently do need an EPC now, rather than just paying for that, it is cheaper to get a whole HIP - and we prob will need one of those soon anyway. So have just commissioned one.

Thanks again.

Evee2000

No date has yet been confirmed with regard to the 'Drop Dead Date' (ie date that all properties will require a HIP regardless of when marketing commenced). Yes, there is a rumour that it will be announced shortly. I advise my clients, for whom I am undertaking an energy assessment, that I will deduct the price of the EPC from the cost of the HIP if they come back to me (if and when the DDD is finally announced).

nick_hill

So how much would a HIP typically cost for a modern (less than ten years old) 4 bed detached cost

its in the ribble valley area

we have just had a quote for one and it seems a little on the high side ;-)

stormCat99

nick_hill wrote: »

So how much would a HIP typically cost for a modern (less than ten years old) 4 bed detached cost

its in the ribble valley area

we have just had a quote for one and it seems a little on the high side ;-)

We're in Lancashire, not far from you, and our HIP cost around £180 inc VAT. We used eHips, as they were recommended on here and also won award on Moneyfacts for best HIP provider (dunno if that is worth anything but surely means they can't be too terrible!).

Commissioned it last Friday, EPC lady came to look at our house on Tues, and whole HIP was ready for us yesterday, so less than a week!