A HIP (Home Information Pack) is compulsory for most homes on the market in England & Wales and is a set of documents that provides a potential purchaser with key information on a property. It is a legal requirement to have a HIP and you are unable to market your property without one. It must be provided by the seller or by the seller’s agent and lets potential buyers see important information about the property at the start of the house buying process.
What’s in a HIP?
The following documents must be included in a Home Information Pack:
- Index - Lists all documents within the pack including a checklist for all parties involved in the sale
- Property Information Questionnaire (PIQ) This needs to be completed by the seller. The PIQ provides a checklist for buyers of information about a property, including gas and electricity safety, flood risk information, previous structural damage, parking arrangements and a leasehold summary where appropriate.
- Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
- Sale statement – Basic information about the property
- Standard searches – These include local land registry charges, other records held by the local authority and provision of drainage & water services to the property.
- Evidence of title – to confirm that the seller owns the property
- Additional information for leasehold and commonhold sales, where appropriate
- A HIP for a newly built home must have a sustainability certificate (or interim certificate).
Optional items in a HIP
Some documents in the Home Information Pack are optional. These include:
- Home Condition Report (HCR)
- Legal summary
- Home use/contents forms
- Other documents
- Additional information for leasehold and commonhold sales, where appropriate.
Buyers
From 6 April 2009, the HIP must be available on the first day a property is marketed for sale. If you are buying a property and wish to see the HIP you will need to ask whowever is advertising the property to see a copy of the Home Information Pack. Whilst this is normally an estate agent it could also be another business or individual. They must give you a copy of the pack free of charge. However, they may make a reasonable charge to cover the costs of copying and posting.
Sellers
From 6 April 2009, your property is not allowed to be marketed unless the HIP is available. You will need to make arrangements to have a HIP compiled (including paying for it) along with other preparations for selling your home. However, if there's a delay in getting certain documents, like the local searches, these can be added after your house is put on the market. Your local Home Sale Network agent will be able to either help with the HIP ordering process or put you in touch directly with a company that can (you can use the search panel immediately to the right of this screen to find your local Home Sale Network agent)
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