| If you are selling your home, you have to have a | | | | benefit of that is a regular gas boiler service can |
| Home Information Pack (HIP). No ifs and buts. | | | | help keep the cost of your fuel bills down by as |
| New legislation means you can’t now put | | | | much as 10%. |
| your home on the market without having a | | | | Electrics: When did you last have them inspected? |
| completed HIP ready and waiting for your buyers. | | | | Don’t wait for your buyer to produce a |
| It’s the first thing they or their solicitor will | | | | report and haggle down your price. |
| ask for. | | | | Flood risk: Check your own flood risk on |
| An important part of the HIP is the Property | | | | Environment-agency.gov.uk |
| Information Questionnaire (PIQ). The onus is on | | | | Parking: Give extra details such as hours and cost |
| the seller to complete this document – not | | | | of any resident parking or meters. |
| the estate agent or the solicitor – and filling it | | | | TV/Internet: Have you got Broadband, cable or |
| in as fully as possible will give a buyer additional | | | | satellite? It could be worth providing this. |
| information that could help clinch the sale. Any | | | | Bills: Utilities, Telephone and Council Tax bills will |
| guarantees or certificates should be included. | | | | provide useful information. |
| Gaps and lack of information cause doubts and | | | | The HIP must include: |
| delays. Evidence of regular servicing and | | | | - The PIQ |
| maintenance reassures buyers that the property | | | | - Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) or |
| has been well cared for. | | | | Predicted Energy Assessment (PEA) |
| If you are a home buyer, and you see a | | | | - Sustainability information (new homes only) |
| property you like, you are entitled to ask the | | | | - Sale statement |
| estate agent or whoever is advertising the | | | | - Evidence of Title |
| property for sale for a copy of the HIP, which | | | | - Standard Searches |
| should arrive within 14 days. | | | | - Lease (if appropriate) |
| Filling in the PIQ need not be difficult. It is as well | | | | You will have to provide an Energy Performance |
| to pay attention to: | | | | Certificate (EPC) which will be carried out by a |
| Boiler/Central heating: If you haven’t had it | | | | registered Domestic Energy Assessor. |
| serviced within the last year, then do so now. A | | | | |