Ace Home Inspections
Inspecting properties in Surrey and surrounding areas
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| What is a Home Information Pack (HIP)? A HIP contains a number of significant documents and information about a property being marketed. It is designed to enhance the selling process and avoid many of the delays so often encountered in the pre-HIP days. Those delays may have been due to lack of local search data, slow responses from the seller or complete renegotiation of the price due to a poor survey report. All of these delays, or even complete collapse of the chain, imposed considerable financial costs on those involved, as well as time wasted. Back to top |
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Does my property need a HIP? If it is a residential property then it most likely does require a HIP. Please see our page on 'Exemptions' Back to top |
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Who can carry out these inspections? The EPC can be performed by either a Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA) or a Home Inspector (HI). The full Home Condition Report can only be carried out by a Home Inspector. DEA's must be members of a Government Approved Accreditation Scheme, (Ace Home Inspections are accredited by NHER). HI's must be members of a Government Approved Certificaation Scheme, such as SAVA, BRE or similar. All accredited or certified inspectors will carry photographic ID cards issued by the scheme provider for security purposes. All members are monitored and quality-controlled by their schemes and must abide by their Codes Of Conduct. Back to top |
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What is an EPC? An EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) is an energy rating of the property, similar to the ratings now applied to domestic appliances (rated A to G). It takes into account the size and construction of the property, insulation and efficiency of heating and lighting. The EPC is a mandatory requirement as part of the HIP. Click here to view a sample EPC Back to top |
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What is an HCR? The HCR (Home Condition Report) is a detailed visual inspection of every aspect of the property assigning Condition Ratings to each element. Currently it is an optional document in the HIP. It also includes all the elements of the EPC. It is not a full structural survey but will give condition ratings to the main elements of the property from 1 to 3. Any observations made during the inspection giving cause for concern will be highlighted to allow the seller the opportunity to seek further specialist advice and have remedial works carried out should it be necessary. Click here to see an example of an HCR Back to top |
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| Why should I have an HCR? Surely it is cheaper to only have an EPC? There is a very small cost differential between an EPC and a full HCR. Bearing in mind that house prices in Surrey average over £300,000 then a relatively small extra outlay will produce significant payback because of fewer failed transactions and broken chains. The main consideration must be that an HCR will substantially increase buyer confidence and most property transactions will proceed faster and more reliably than in the pre-HIP days. Buyers will soon insist that HCR's are included in the HIP's so that they are able to make informed decisions about their property purchase before they even cross the threshold. Consider that the cost of solicitors and surveyors can run into £,000's then the relatively small outlay for a full HCR can give considerable peace of mind and confidence in the transaction. Back to top |
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| How is the HCR carried out? The HCR is carried out by a licensed Home Inspector, specifically trained for this task. The inspection is non-invasive - carpets and furniture do not have to be moved - and visual only, but very detailed, looking at every aspect of the structure and component parts of the property. Tests are only carried out on those items in normal day-to-day use, such as windows, doors, lights, taps, etc. The report will assign a condition rating to each of the elements inspected, where 1 means no faults observed and normal maintenance is required, through to 3 where a serious defect has been noted and remedial action is required. The report will not tell you how to fix any faults or provide any recommendations. It is purely factual observation, backed up by photographic evidence. Back to top |
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| Who sees the HCR? The HCR will be part of the HIP which will be available to anyone interested in purchasing a property. The HCR is logged on a central database and can be accessed using the unique report number assigned to it, in addition to the paper form that will appear in the HIP. No personal seller details are included in the HCR, only the property address. Back to top |
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| Surely this is just more government bureacracy? Far from it. The legislation was introduced by the government to regulate and improve the whole property purchase process. It is implemented by the property industry and is regulated by approved schemes. No-one involved with this process works for the government. In fact the vast majority of Home Inspectors are self-employed professionals who have trained specifically for this role. Others involved are the estate agents, conveyancers and solicitors who have always formed part of the property market. HIP's have existed for some time in the US and many European countries, and are acknowledged to have improved the efficiency of property sales. Back to top |
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| Can I still sell privately and do my own conveyancing? Yes, of course. You must still provide the HIP before you market your property and include all the relevant documents in it. You can commission your own EPC/HCR direct from a Home Inspector. CONTACT US FOR MORE DETAILS. Back to top |
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Where can I find out more? There are several web sites where you can find out more about the whole process. The official government site for HIP's The Institute of Home Inspection Statutory Instrument containing the regulations about Home Information Packs Back to top |
52 Southwood Drive
Tolworth
Surrey KT5 9PH
(Please copy and paste the address into your email client)