The Conveyancing Report Agency are members of the Property Codes Compliance Board (PCCB) which incorporates the Search Code and HIP Code with the aim of delivering quality standards across both the property search industry and in Home Information Packs.

The Current Legal Position                                                    

Here are some of the main points that affect Home Information Packs:

• From 10th September mandatory Home Information Packs (HIP) are required for properties of 3 bedrooms or more. This will be extended to include all properties as and when sufficient energy assessors are available.
• For any property that requires a HIP, contracts cannot be exchanged on the property until a HIP has been completed.
• From 1st January 2008, marketing of the property will not be able to commence until certain elements of the HIP are available to potential buyers. (Click Here for More Information)
• Until the end of 2007, a HIP required property can be marketed as soon as the HIP has been commissioned, but the “responsible person” must actually proceed with production of the HIP – ordering and then “delaying or canceling” is not allowed.
• Since 1st August 2007 for any property that requires a HIP, there is the potential for a £200 fine for every day that a property is marketed without a HIP. This will be enforced by Trading Standards Officers.

For further information regarding more detailed regulations, please visit www.homeinformationpacks.gov.uk