It is still not too late! Sunday 25 Nov 2007
It is still not too late for our estate agent members to join our HIP's forums to be held in Bath on 28th November and in Trowbridge and Swindon on 29th November. For further information and to register please contact Michael Blowers on 01225 750011 or Chris Macer on 01225 352900.
New builds and developments Tuesday 12 Jun 2007
A Home Information Pack is required when marketing starts (currently for homes with three or more bedrooms until 14 December, when smaller homes are covered), but how is this defined in relation to new homes? In this issue, the HIP Programme Team provides an overview of HIP regulations as they apply to new builds and developments…
We want to ensure a smooth implementation of Energy Performance Certificates to other types of buildings. Lessons learnt from the introduction of EPCs already show that a phased approach has worked well for industry and consumers. That’s why we think it’s right that the same approach is adopted for the roll-out to other sectors, starting from April.
Newly built homes are covered by HIPs but there are differences in the way the scheme operates for these properties, particularly in the way that energy performance information is presented:
For more information on new builds visit the New Build and development FAQs and Housing Developers sections on our website.
Green ratings to benefit all home buyers Wednesday 12 Jul 2006
First time homebuyers will see their upfront costs drop and all home buyers will, for the first time, receive A-G green ratings for their properties which will help cut fuel bills and carbon emissions, with the roll out of Home Information Packs (HIPs) and Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) announced today.
Buyers whose homes score poor energy ratings of F or G (currently around one-fifth of all homes) will receive an offer of a discount or free help with energy efficiency measures from the Green Homes Service which will be established, helping to save hundreds of pounds off fuel bills, as announced by the Prime Minister this week.
Sixty per cent of the market is already covered by HIPs. The Government has announced the rollout of HIPs and EPCs to the rest of the market from 14 December this year, as the criteria set out for roll out on 11 June have now been met.
House hunters will get detailed information about the energy efficiency of their home with a green rating of A-G, similar to consumer friendly fridge ratings, in an EPC.
The final stage of the roll out follows careful analysis of how HIPs and EPCs have been working in order to maintain their smooth introduction into the housing market.
The extension of HIPs to all properties will particularly benefit first time buyers through a reduction in their upfront costs by not having to pay for a pack, helping them in getting a foot on the housing ladder.
The packs are already beginning to bring benefits to consumers with average property search costs starting to fall with the new competition from HIPs - 85 local authorities have already reduced their charges by £30 on average.
Housing Minister Yvette Cooper said:
"HIPs and EPCs are already helping consumers to save hundreds of pounds off their fuel bills and are cutting search costs too. All home buyers will be able to benefit from energy efficiency advice, with those receiving low green ratings of 'F' and 'G' especially targeted for support and grants to make improvements to cut their costs and carbon emissions."
Early monitoring of the scheme shows the roll out has gone smoothly.
The Government has also today published an independent report by Europe Economics on the impact of HIPs on the market. Their report finds no evidence of any impact on transactions or prices, although there is a predicted short term impact on new listings as sellers change the timings of their listings. The report concludes that the impact on listings is short lived and the impact on the market is marginal compared to the wider factors.
The Government also asked Europe Economics and Peter Williams of the National Housing and Planning Advice Unit (NHPAU) to consider whether changing housing market conditions meant we should change the approach to completing the roll out. They concluded that there are strong arguments for rolling out as planned, and further delay could cause greater market difficulties and uncertainties.
The implementation of HIPs so far and the work of the Stakeholder Panel have also highlighted further improvements needed to benefit consumers.
Early monitoring of HIPs has highlighted stakeholder concerns that for some consumers leasehold documents are proving hard to obtain quickly and, in some cases, disproportionate charges are being requested. In the majority of cases we would expect leasehold documents to be readily and easily available as part of HIPs. However, given the higher number of leasehold properties amongst one and two bedroom homes, to ensure a continued smooth roll out we will phase the introduction of leasehold information.
The Government will temporarily amend the HIP regulations so the lease document itself must be included, but other leasehold information will be introduced as a requirement in five months' time.
The Government will also set out other consumer-first measures and will:
The introduction of HIPs is part of a wider programme of reforms to home buying and selling including e-conveyancing and better redress, which aims to provide consumers with a clearer, more transparent and effective service, with better value for money, benefiting all potential homebuyers and helping in tackling climate change.
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HOW TO ORDER A HIP
The best way to do so is to go to the Hallmark website www.hallmarkhips.co.uk
If you are already registered you will be able to use your login and password details (previously notified to you) to order a HIP.
If you have lost them the website has a facility to enable you to request reminders.
If you are not a member of Hallmark the website contains a facility to enable you to register online.
Alternatively, you may contact our Business Development Manager, Andy May on 07917 657494 for assistance.
Online training is available at
http://ekp.intellego-systems.com/ekp_mda?orgcode=hmrk
Before ordering a HIP you should establish whether the title to the property is registered, freehold, leasehold, or commonhold. .
A Hallmark solicitor can order a HIP. If you wish to refer a case you should ask the Seller to contact the Hallmark solicitor direct. The solicitor will order the HIP and it will be sent direct to you when it is complete. Please note, however, that only you can order a HIP using the Agent Deferred Payment scheme (see below).
HOW TO PAY FOR A HIP
There are various options for funding a HIP:
The seller decides to pay cash or cheque. Pay it into your account. You simply order the HIP. When the HIP has been ordered the cost appears for payment in your next monthly DD statement.
The Seller decides to pay using a credit or debit card. You must enter full details necessary when ordering the HIP to ensure that payment may be taken direct from the Seller.
The Seller decides to pay using a deferred payment agreement, consisting of four instalments commencing six months after signature and subject to a 10% arrangement fee. Payment is made on the earlier of sale, or withdrawal of your instructions by the Seller, or commences six months after the agreement was signed. You must enter the Seller’s full bank account and credit card details in the drop down menu and ensure that the Seller signs the drop down credit card authorisation that you will print off. The necessary paperwork will then be sent direct to the Seller.
You decide to pay for the HIP within 30 days. You simply order the HIP. When the HIP has been ordered the cost appears for payment in your next monthly DD statement.
You decide to include payment for the HIP as part of your commission on the terms of the MDA Agent’s Deferred Payment Agreement. You not only have to be registered with Hallmark, but must sign the separate agreement and will need to include appropriate terms in your agreement with the Seller. Payment is made on the earlier of sale, or withdrawal of your instructions by the Seller, or nine months after the agreement was signed. To arrange this please contact our Business Development Manager, Andy May on 07917 657494.
COST OF A HIP
The cost of a registered freehold Hallmark HIP will (until otherwise advised) be £395.00 inc VAT.
Additional charges are payable (and can be financed as part of the HIP, save that the cost of obtaining management or other information will need to be paid for by the Seller) in the following cases:
Unregistered title £95.00 plus VAT;
Leasehold (or commonhold) £95.00 plus VAT.
To provide any of the information referred to above you will need to contact a Hallmark solicitor.
EPC
When preparing your particulars you need to import the Energy Rating bar chart (if you do not employ a plan provider who will do so for you). See the CLG link
http://www.home-information.info/doc?id=67