HIPS avoidance

Jolanta_Nowak

I have a 2 bedroom flat on the market for private sale (no agent). It has already had my board up for three weeks.

As I understand it, the rules regarding HIPS for this type of property don't come in until the middle of this month.

Can I assume that any sale after that date does not require a HIPS package? If so, how do I prove the fact that it has been on the market prior to the HIPS advent? Will a digital photo showing date suffice?

david29dpo

As long as you can prove the flat has been marketed, which sounds like you can, you will not need a HIP.

chriserenity

Jolanta_Nowak wrote: »

I have a 2 bedroom flat on the market for private sale (no agent). It has already had my board up for three weeks.

As I understand it, the rules regarding HIPS for this type of property don't come in until the middle of this month.

Can I assume that any sale after that date does not require a HIPS package? If so, how do I prove the fact that it has been on the market prior to the HIPS advent? Will a digital photo showing date suffice?

Hi Jolanta. The key here is that it needs to be continuously marketed. If there is a break in your marketing after 14th December this will trigger the requirement for a HIP.

No, you can't assume you can completely avoid a HIP. At the moment there is no 'drop dead date' when properties being marketed without HIPs will need one. It used to be 1/1/08 but they removed the date when they announced the phased roll out. However, HMG has said they are likely to introduce a drop dead date sometime in the future.

Yes, I would say a date stamped digital photo would suffice as proof you put it on the market before 14th December. If in doubt ask your local trading standards office who are responsible for enforcing the HIP regulations.

Hope your sale goes well.