Since December 14th, 2007, the new Home Information Pack (HIP) regulations have been rolled out to all property sizes. In order that Home Seller can market a property for sale they must have ordered a HIP first. This does not mean you have to have the HIP physically completed at the time it is marketed (
see First day Marketing) but that it had been paid for and is therefore in the process of being compiled. Typically, once a HIP is ordered it will take around 5-10 day to complete although for unregistered properties , and some water utility searches can take longer.
There are exceptions where a HIP is not required:-
• Properties for sale not available with vacant possession
• Seasonal or holiday accommodation;
• Mixed sales sold as ‘job lot’ (e.g. shop with flat above)
• Dual use homes (residential and business use)
• ‘Right to Buy’ transaction
• Part of a portfolio of properties sold as ‘job lot’
• An unsafe property
• Park Homes or House Boats.