FAQs.

Reporting FAQs.


What is a Home Information Pack (HIP)?
Home Information Packs are a collection of documents including searches, an energy performance certificate and other relevant documents, the pack will provide important information “up front” enabling purchasers to be better informed about the property they are looking to purchase.
The following compulsory documents must be included in a Home Information Pack:

  •   Home Information Pack Index
  •   Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) (see over for details)
  •   Sale statement
  •   Standard searches
  •   Evidence of title
  •   Additional information for leasehold and commonhold sales, where appropriate           

You can also include other documents, e.g. a Home Condition Report, an environmental or flood risk search and other information that would be of interest to a potential buyer as defined in the regulations.

Do I have to provide a HIP?
Apart from a very few exemptions, if you wish to sell any property then you must legally commission a HIP before your estate agent is able to market your property. . You do not need a HIP for:-

  • Properties where there is no marketing (e.g. sale to member of your family)
  • Non-residential properties
  • Seasonal and holiday accommodation
  • Mixed sales (e.g. shop with flat)
  • Right to buy and similar sales
  • Sales of portfolios of properties
  • Properties not being sold with completely vacant possession
  • Unsafe properties and properties to be demolished

Why were HIPs introduced?
The Government has introduced HIPs to try to speed up the current buying and selling process by ensuring as much documentation as possible is available up front.

Who compiles HIPs?
Both estate agents and conveyancing lawyers are able to produce the HIP for you. The EPC is produced by another island company Reporting Ltd, who employ qualified and certificated energy professionals.  

I'm putting together my own HIP; can I order my EPC from you directly?
To order from us directly, contact us to set up an appointment convenient for you.  Alternatively go to our EPC section

How much does the pack cost?
This depends on the size of your property, although is likely to be in the region of £200-£300. Remember that if you are buying another property which also has a pack on it, you may be able to use the searches etc. which have already been provided.

Should the pack include a Home Condition Report?
A Home Condition Report could help you sell your property more quickly if it shows that it is in good condition, or if it highlights any problems straight away for potential buyers, it can avoid nasty surprises for buyers later in the process.

Originally the HIP was going to contain a Home Condition Report, although another Government u-turn took place in July 2006. The report was changed from a mandatory to discretionary report within the pack. Unfortunately, heavy lobbying from organisations such as the National Association of Estate Agents forced the government to take them out. They argued that buyers would not trust a survey commissioned by the seller and would spend additional money getting a separate report done. Consumer group Which? whom had previously though Hips to be a good idea, promptly withdrew their support labelling the scheme "half-baked". At Reporting Ltd we are able to offer an HCR at the same time as you commission the EPC, this will result in a major saving for the seller.

The government had promised to make surveys compulsory in the future, but where they stand on that now is unclear. In the meantime sellers can include a home condition report as an optional item along with a legal summary, a contents form and other location-specific forms such as a risk-of-flooding or ground stability survey.

How long does an EPC last?
The EPC has a 'shelf life' of one year after the production date, meaning you could market/remarket your house as many times as you wanted with the same EPC for up to one year after production.  If, as a seller, you undertake any of the recommended improvements suggested by the EPC, just attach some form of proof that the work has been done to the EPC included in the HIP you give to the actual buyer. 

Will I need to be at the property to let you in?
Ideally, it is better if you can be present whilst we conduct our survey in case of any queries that we might have. However, we are happy organise other access arrangements with you, for example a neighbour or estate agent. 

How long will the survey take? 
The survey will usually take between 45 minutes to an hour depending on how many extensions it has and the complexity/size of the property. 

What will the surveyor do when they come to my house? 
Click here to read our inspection section. 

How can I check your surveyors are qualified? 
Confirmation of our credentials can be found by searching for us on the Landmark website.  For your peace of mind we all also have up to date CRB checks.  We are also fully insured and carry ID cards. 

If I am unhappy with an aspect of your service, how can I make a complaint?
Please get in touch with us and we will do our best to resolve the problem.  If you prefer, we also have a complaints procedure. 

I live in a conservation area; will the report recommend improvements I'm not allowed to make?
Don't worry; we don't make inappropriate recommendations which conflict with conservation regulations. We are aware of the location of conservation areas and their boundaries in our area. 

Which areas do you cover? 
We principally operate on the Isle of Wight, but we are able to operate in other areas if necessary. Please contact us for more information. 

Why should I choose Reporting Ltd to produce my HCR or EPC?
Reporting Ltd was set up in November 2006 to provide Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) and Home Condition Reports (HCRs) for inclusion within the Home Information Pack. Although we are based on the Isle of Wight, we are able to complete work in the Portsmouth, Southampton and adjoining Solent area. We have access to both Quest and X-it2 software. We are closely linked to Gully Howard Chartered Surveyors and are therefore able to offer the full range of survey work to all residential and commercial property (including a specialist asbestos division).

We are also able to provide EPC’s on both domestic and commercial property.