6th April 2008: New Build HIPs Legislation

New Build HIPs Legislation Starts Today

New legislation came into force today, 6th April 2008, requiring all new build properties to require a HIP before any form of marketing on an existing or planned development can take place.

Previously, an exemption had been in force allowing any property built to 2006 building regulations to be exempt from the requirement to have a HIP. The legislation now applies to all new build properties whether 2002 bulding regulations or 2006 building regulations apply.

Now all new build properties, even at the planning stage, require a Home Information Pack before any form of marketing can commence.

Developers and estate agents need to take extra care to ensure they do not fall foul of a £200 penaly per plot by understanding how broadly the term 'marketing' is interpreted within the new build HIP legislation.

Marketing can be:
- notice of any future planned development on a website
- any communication, electronic, verbal or written to any potential investors such as previous customers or buy-to-let property clubs
- advertising signs present on the development site
- any other traditional form of marketing such as newspaper advertisements, press releases and property shows

New build HIPs are available from abc-hips.co.uk at only £99 + vat.