Q: When can I put my property on the market?

As soon as you have ordered your HIP with Prestige & Green you can proceed to market your property without delay. You will receive confirmation that a HIP has been commissioned, this can be forwarded to your estate agents as proof.

Q: How long will it take before I get my HIP?

On average around 10 working days, however this is dependant on how quickly the search documents are returned from the local authority and/or drainage companies. You may find that your HIP is completed within five working days or up to fifteen. We continuously monitor progress so you get your HIP as soon as possible.

Q: Do I need a printed copy of my HIP?

No, once your HIP is complete we will email you all of the component documents which you can then forward onto prospective buyers and/or estate agents. We also supply a set of dividers if you wish to print your HIP at a later stage.

For an additional £15 we can supply you with a colour print and professionally bound hard copy, this will be posted to you first class in addition to having the electronic version emailed to you.

Q: How long will my pack last for?

While the property is on the market, there is no need to update the Home Information Pack. If the sale of your property stops and then starts again, you would normally be required to assemble a new HIP and to update those documents which are now out of date. You can carry on using the same HIP if the marketing of the property stopped because an offer was accepted, and marketing restarted because the sale had fallen through, provided that remarketing starts within one year of the date when marketing first began or, if later, within 28 days of the sale falling through. If marketing stopped for any other reason, the seller may remarket the property with the same HIP provided that remarketing starts within one year of the date when marketing first began.

Q: What about new build properties?

Sellers of newly built homes will have to get a HIP. Where a home is marketed "off-plan" before it is physically complete, it will need a HIP but it will not have a full Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). Instead the HIP will contain a Predicted Energy Assessment.

Q: Are there any exemptions from HIPs?

Yes, please see the exemptions section.

Q: What if I am selling my property privately?

If you are marketing your property, even if it's just by putting a 'for sale' sign in the window, you need a HIP. Sales where no marketing takes place (e.g. to a member of the family) won't need a HIP.

Q: What if my property is not registered at Land Registry?

We will perform what is known as a 'Search of the Index Map (SIM)' with 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).