This Fact sheet is up to date at January 2009

The contents of the HIP, both compulsory (Required) and voluntary (Authorised) are set out in the regulations contained in SI 2007 No 1667 as varied by a number of amending statutory instruments.

New properties, for the purposes of the HIPs legislation, are those that are either sold physically complete or are being sold off-plan.

The HIP has to be completed as though the new interest, freehold, leasehold or commonhold was already in existence (this includes the sale statement and Index).  The general rules for each type of property should be followed accordingly. 

Title documents that must be produced are those out of which the new interest is being created.

For new commonhold interests, the pack should also include: -

• Terms of the proposed commonhold community statement (CCS

• An estimate of the financial contribution for the property towards the commonhold assessment, reserve funds and insurance.

For new leasehold interests, the following should be included -

• Terms of the proposed lease

• An estimate of the financial contribution for the property towards service charge, ground rent and insurance.

The Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) will be a prediction of its expected energy efficiency. Once the property is physically complete the predicted energy assessment (PEA) must be replaced by an EPC and recommendation report. Fact sheet 19 looks at EPC’s in detail.

An additional required element for new homes is the sustainability certificate (Fact Sheet 23) - this must be placed in the HIP immediately after the EPC which follows the Index and, from 6 April 2009, the PIQ.