14 December 2007 - Start Date

Not the most important date in December with Christmas on our minds but from 14 December 2007 all homes marketed for sale in England and Wales will need a Home Information Pack (HIP).  The Government has now set out it's criteria for phasing in the implementation of HIPs including Energy Performance Certificates (EPC's).  Important information is as follows:

Continued first day marketing

Agents are still able to market properties as soon as a HIP has been commissioned.  This concession is extended to 31 May 2008 and therefore as soon as you have instructed us to commission your HIP you can advise your agent and the property can go on the market.

Leasehold

As it now covers all properties Leasehold properties will require a HIP.  Although additional information will be required to produce a HIP for Leasehold properties in future, at present only the Lease itself needs to be incorporated in the HIP.  Other information is likely to be required from 31 August 2008.

Properties marketed before the commencement date

Provided the properties are genuinely on the market before the appropriate commencement date i.e. before 14 December for 1 and 2 bedroom properties, 10 September for 3 bedroom properties and 1 August for 4 bedroom plus properties then a Pack will not be required.  This exemption will continue for as long as the marketing continues but the Government has advised that it may appoint a date in the future when all properties will be subject to the HIP duties regardless of when it was first marketed.  It is unlikely this will be before 31 May 2008.

New Builds

Newly constructed properties which have been built subject to part L of the Building Regulations 2006 will not require an EPC until April 2008.

Commercial Properties

Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) will be required during the next year for commercial buildings:

6 April 2008 - those over 10,000 square meters;

1 July 2008 - those over 2,500 square meters;

1 October 2008 - All commercial buildings.

All other residential buildings will also require an EPC from 1 October 2008.

We are here to help

We have a link of local dedicated Domestic Energy Assessors (those who prepare EPCs) and can offer HIPs for as little as £250 (subject to VAT and additional costs where the Local Authority in which the property is based charges are higher than others).

What is the advantage of instructing us to prepare your HIP?

1. We can provide you with all the necessary paperwork

    to progress your sale early.

2. We know our Domestic Energy Assessors.

3. We do not put personal searches in our HIPs.  Most

    solicitors acting for buyers and some mortgage

    companies are not prepared to accept personal 

    searches.

If you wish to discuss HIPs further with any of our Conveyancing Department please feel free to contact:

Andrew Pluck (Eastbourne) - apluck@hartreade.co.uk or 01323 727321

Jan Hollands (Eastbourne) - jhollands@hartreade.co.uk or 01323 727321

Andrew Rannie (Hailsham) - arannie@hartreade.co.uk or 01323 841481

Graham Hooker (Polegate) - ghooker@hartreade.co.uk or 01323 487051