First HIP?

Citation

(2007), "First HIP?", Structural Survey, Vol. 25 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/ss.2007.11025aab.004

First HIP?

Keywords: Housing, Reports, Housing legislation, Energy

What is thought to be the first ever HIP (home information pack) has been completed on Mr Mole’s property in North Shields for estate agents, Fresh Property Centre using the services provided by SimplyHIP. Although the HIP is not mandatory until June 1, 2007, pilot schemes are beginning to be run across the country. The HIP includes searches on the property, evidence of title and supporting legal documents and the energy performance certificate. Mr Mole also chose to have a home condition report (HCR), which will not be compulsory with the introduction of HIPs but which may have voluntary take up from the public. The energy performance certificate (EPC) carried out on the late Victorian mid-terrace house highlighted a number of possibilities from which Mr Mole could make savings on his energy usage. The HCR, was undertaken by one of the first ever qualified home inspectors, Malcolm Scott who also oversaw the EPC. Mr Mole, whose property was valued at £249,950, had the HIP carried out because two other similar properties in his road were on the market and he thought it would give him a competitive edge. Indeed, the HCR spotted a couple of anomalies on the property; part of the roof needed a repair and the chimney required re-pointing. Mr Mole decided to have the work carried out as soon as the HIP made him aware of the problem.