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Frequently Asked Questions

 

How do I order a HIP?

A HIP can be ordered online via the home page by clicking on the “ORDER IT” Tab and by following the online order system.

 

How do I order an additional copy of the HIP?

Perfect-bound hard copies and CD-ROMs can be ordered at the time of the original purchase for £14 including courier delivery. An additional perfect-bound hard copy can be sent at the time of ordering. Both the CD-ROM and the web page of your HIP allow you to print your own copies at no charge.

 

How long does it take to complete a pack?

All the component parts are requested at the time of your order. It will take between 5 – 7 working days to receive all the component parts dependent on the local authority and utility company. Your Home Information Pack is completed the moment all the relevant parts are received.

 

How do I pay for the HIP? Payments are made by Google Checkout, unless other arrangements have been made via a service agreement contract.

 

Are you members of AHIPP? Abc-hips is a member of AHIPP and has the appropriate level of professional indemnity insurance to provide HIPs.

 

What level of insurance does ABC-HIPs have?

We are a member of AHIPP the Association of Home Information Pack Providers. It is a requirement, in order to become a member, to have a minimum of £2million Professional Indemnity cover. When shopping around it is important to ask if other providers have such cover, not only for the Energy Performance Certificate, but the complete Home Information Pack, in order to protect the possible risk to you.

 

Can I see the progress of the HIP that I have ordered? Yes. When you complete the order of the pack and when Google Checkout has accepted your payment you will receive a unique link that will take you to your unique web page displaying the component parts of the HIP, those parts which have been uploaded and the parts of the pack which are outstanding.

 

Is a hard copy is required?

An electronic copy, as provided by us, is sufficient in law. A hard copy and CD-ROM is available at the point of order, delivered by courier, at a cost of £14 + VAT.

 

What type of pack do I need?

There are 3 types of HIP that we provide: Freehold, Leasehold and Commonhold.


Freehold
If you are ordering a pack for a freehold property you will need the following contents;

 

 

Leasehold Properties

In addition to the core documents within the home information pack a leasehold property must contain the following documents.
    • A copy of the lease is compulsory. The following are voluntary:
    • Any rule or regulation applicable to the property that are not mentioned by the lease agreements
    • All statements/summaries of service charges covering the previous 36 months
    • Where it is appropriate, the most recent requests for payment of service charges, ground rent, insurance against damage for the building in which the property is situated, and insurance in respect of personal injury caused by or within the building during the 12 month period before marketing began.
    • The name and address of the current or proposed lessor, details of any managing agent that has been appointed or proposed by the lessor to manage the property.
    • A summary of any works being undertaken or proposed that will affect the property or the building in which it's situated.

     

Commonhold Properties

In addition to the core documents within the home information pack the home information pack for a commonhold property requires two mandatory documents;
    • A copy of the individual register and title plan for the common parts are required.
    • A copy of the commonhold community statement.
    • The home information pack required for commonhold properties should also contain the following documents if they are reasonably obtainable;
Copies of any regulations and rules that are not outlined within the commonhold community statement and any amendments proposed to these regulations or to the commonhold community statement.
    • The name and address of the person appointed or proposed to be appointed by the commonhold association to manage the commonhold, this may be the managing agent.
    • A copy of any request for payment made during the previous 12 months with reference to the commonhold assessment. Copies of the reserve fund levy and insurance is also required (if not covered by the commonhold assessment).
    • A summary of all works, current or proposed, affecting the commonhold.
     

How do I submit a query regarding a particular pack that I have ordered?

If you have a query regarding a specific HIP that the FAQ’s do not answer please email support@abc-hips.co.uk confirming your HIPS ID and your query.

 

Who is responsible for ordering the HIP?

The seller of the property is responsible for ordering the HIP. This can be done directly though a HIP provider or agent.

 

Are HIPs required across the whole of the UK?

HIPs are only required in England and Wales.

 

Do I have to put electrical certificates into the pack?

Electrical certificates are not required in the pack.

 

How long will the pack be valid for?

No component of the Home Information Pack should be more than 12 months old on the day the property goes on sale. A pack is valid for as long as the property is for sale or until there is a break in marketing.

 

I have changed estate agents do I need another pack?

If the house has stayed on the market you do not require another HIP.

 

What if the property is not registered at land registry?

We will perform what is known as a 'Search of the Index Map (SIM)' with the Land Registry to confirm that this is the case, we will then contact you with a view to locating documents which confirm the legal ownership of the property (mortgage lenders can usually provide the necessary documentation).

 

How much is the pack I require?

 

Electronic HIPs:

    FREEHOLD pack £234 + VAT

    LEASEHOLD pack £254 + VAT

    COMMONHOLD pack £274 + VAT

    FREEHOLD pack with your EPC £165 + VAT

     
Hard Copy HIPs:

    FREEHOLD pack £248 + VAT

    LEASEHOLD pack £268 + VAT

    COMMONHOLD pack £288 + VAT

    FREEHOLD pack without EPC £179 + VAT

    ADDITIONAL HARD COPY £20   + VAT

     

Do properties of all sizes require a pack?

Since the 14th of December 2007, all residential properties placed on the market require a pack.

 

Do new build properties require a HIP Pack?

Currently, new build properties do require a HIP. However, they do not require an Energy Performance Certificate. The pack must contain a predicted Energy Performance Assessment. It is proposed that by April 2008 will require an EPC.

 

Are there any exemptions?

New homes built under Regulation 17C of the Building Regulations (2006) will be excluded from the scope of the scheme until the software needed to produce an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is available.

 

What if I am selling privately?

When selling privately a HIP is still required.

 

When can the property be put on the market?

The property can be placed on the market as soon as the HIP is ordered. The HIP does not have to be complete.

 

Do properties sold at auction require a HIP?
Yes.

 

How come other pack providers charge a lot more?
ABC-HIPs have produced an on-line ordering system that reduces the cost of producing a pack, consequently this saving is passed on to the client. There are a number of pack providers which advertise packs at a very low price. You may wish to confirm whether they are members of AHIPP and, therefore, guarantee an adequate level of Professional Indemnity cover for the complete HIP.