EPCs are to remain however; good news for all those who spent thousands of pounds training to become Energy Performance Assessors. Personally, I have found the EPC the most useless part of the HIP pack from a conveyancing point of view. Although I understand they will continue in an attempt to improve energy efficiency, I have yet to speak to a client who has actually read, understood and actioned or proposed to action anything contained in the EPC.

There are some exceptions though;-

1) Properties that haven’t been marketed (e.g. sale to a member of your family).
2) Non-residential properties.
3) Seasonal or holiday accommodation.
4) Mixed sales (e.g. the sale of a shop with a flat).
5) Right to Buy transactions (e.g. buying your home from the Council).
6) Sales of portfolios of properties.
7) Properties not being sold with completely vacant possession.
8) Unsafe properties and properties that are to be demolished.

If these exceptions don’t apply, then you need to find a HIP provider. Conveyancing solicitors, estate agents, or independent providers can help you with this but it pays to shop around to find the best deal. Find out;-

• How much it will cost.
• What you will have to pay if you change your mind about selling.
• If your provider will update any part of your pack if the house doesn’t sell in six months.
• If your estate agent is to provide it and quotes the HIP as free or included in the commission price, will they require you to pay if you switch estate agents or if you take the house off the market?
• When the house is inspected for energy efficiency, can you lift up the floor boards or remove panels to assist them in making an accurate assessment?
• Make sure you give any relevant certificates to the assessor to prove any work that you have carried out to improve its efficiency e.g. Gas Safety Certificate for a new boiler, FENSA Certificate proving energy efficient glass.

You can visit www.homeinformationpacks.gov.uk for more information on HIPS and www.c-nlis.org.uk for a guide on standard searches.

You can find a provider online, those registered with the HIP Code (www.propertycodes.org.uk) have a complaints procedure and insurance for negligence.

Likewise, you will probably receive a HIP on the property you’re looking to buy. I’ll discuss how useful this might be to you in a separate article!