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From 14 December 2007 anyone wishing to market a property for sale will need to commission a HIP in advance of marketing.
Properties that were already on the market before 1 August 2007 (for homes with four or more bedrooms), before 10 September 2007 (for properties with three or more bedrooms) and before 14 December 2007 (for all other others) do not currently require a HIP. However the government may set a date when all properties on the market are required to have a HIP. The ‘First Day Marketing’ exemption, enabling properties to be marketed as soon as a pack is commissioned, has been extended until 1 June 2008.
The HIP will comprise some of the key documents required at the very start of the home-buying and selling process, as follows:
- An index of contents
- An Energy Performance Certificate
- A sale statement (basic information about the sale such as name of seller and property address, whether the home is freehold or leasehold etc)
- Evidence of title
- Leasehold documents
The certificate includes the date, construction and location of the house and relevant fittings (heating systems, insulation or double glazing, for example).To be clear, it is not necessary to have the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) in advance of marketing. Also, an Energy Performance Certificate can be up to 12 months old when a property is put up for sale
The EPC will tell you how energy efficient a home is on a scale of A-G. The most efficient homes - which should have the lowest fuel bills - are in band A. The EPC also tells you, on a scale of A-G, about the impact the home has on the environment. Better-rated homes should have less impact through carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.
The average property in the UK is in bands D-E for both ratings. The Certificate includes recommendations on ways to improve the home's energy efficiency to save you money and help the environment.
We are best placed to obtain your HIP quickly and efficiently to a professional standard allowing your home to be marketed as soon as possible. Our services are designed to assist your sale.
For more information please contact your local office.
