HIP Updates

Home Information Pack Legislation Updates

A short while ago the government announced some changes with regards to the procurement and use of personal Local Authority Searches and created a new form called a Property Information Questionnaire within Home Information Packs.  These came into force on 6th April 2009.

Personal Local Authority Searches

The search industry and CLG (Communities for Local Government) agree that where the Local Authority charges for highways and building regulation information it must be paid for and included within the search.  To date many search providers have cut costs and relied on their insurance to cover them for omitting this information.

The search industry say that if a personal search agent cannot physically access these records for themselves then insurance can be utilised instead. The CLG, however, differ somewhat on this as they maintain the information must be included even if the search agent has to wait for the Local Authority to post it on to them. 

As a member of IPPA we strive to provide the best quality Home Information Packs and therefore all our searches are checked to ensure this information is included.  If it is not included and is covered by insurance we always check this information with the relevant local authority.

 

 

Property Information Questionnaire (PIQ)

 

This is a new form that has been created and most of the information is already used when completing a Home Use Form (HUF) and Home Contents Form (HCF).  Under the current legislation the HUF and HCF are optional authorised documents and therefore do not have to be included within the Home Information Pack. 

 

The PIQ will be a mandatory document that has to be included.  We believe this may cause a problem for larger national providers as they will not be able to offer assistance, if required, to the client in completing this new form.

 

We will ensure the PIQ is completed with the client, where possible, at the same time as the Energy Performance Certificate is carried out.

 

We have succesfully carried out a number of HIPs under the new regulations and have enabled marketing to commence within 24 hours of the Energy Performance Certificate being carried out.

 

An example of the Property Information Questionnaire can be seen by clicking on the link below.