Do I need a HIP for a private sale?

babbsie

We have recently been approached by someone we know who has said they would be interested in buying our property subject to agreeing on a price. We have been considering selling however had done nothing about it so this was good timing for us. In order to agree on a price, we had 3 valuations at the weekend and are now waiting to hear if they are willing to pay what we are looking for.

My question is, if they would like to go ahead and we sell to them privately via our solicitors, do we need to get a HIP done? All the estate agents said that in order for them to market our property on our behalf we would need to have one done but we were only using them for a valuation.

I was under the impression that as long as we haven't marketed our property to 'the public' in any way then a HIP is not necessary however, the only information I can find is dated (2007) so I'm not sure if anything has changed?

Thanks in advance!

timmyt

no HIP as no marketing, just an EPC

babbsie

Great, thanks. That's what I thought but I couldn't find any up to date information so wanted to make sure!

Squish_21

I was interested in the answer to this question.
Thats a large saving from estate agent and HIP fee's. *Wonders whether to sell without estate agent*

Sammy85_2

Squish_21 wrote: »

I was interested in the answer to this question.
Thats a large saving from estate agent and HIP fee's. *Wonders whether to sell without estate agent*

You'll undoubtedly save on fees, BUT you'll have to vet viewers on your own and may end up with alot of "tyre kickers" before you get a buyer.

I read somewhere about viewers who were actually robbers "casing the joint" and using private sales and open days as the vetting beforehand was less.

PLUS you'll still need a HIP if you advertise it, such as putting up a for sale sign or adds in the paper etc.

squinty

Squish_21 wrote: »

I was interested in the answer to this question.
Thats a large saving from estate agent and HIP fee's. *Wonders whether to sell without estate agent*

I think you may hav misunderstood - its not that the property may be sold without an agency that avoids the HIP. It is that the property is not marketed.

The OP had been approached by a buyer - is you were marketing a property yourself (eg advertising, putting up a 'for sale' sign) you would still need a HIP.