Home Information Packs (HIPs)

Home Information Packs (HIPs) containing important information for all residential properties which became compulsory in England and Wales two years ago are now an integral part of the process of selling or buying a property.

What are Home Information Packs and why are they necessary?
It’s the biggest financial commitment most of us will make in our lives and buying or selling a property can be fraught with disappointments and complications. If you have been recently divorced you may well be in the position of having to sell and/or buy a house or a flat and providing a HIP upfront should help reduce the possibility of any unpleasant surprises during the sale that could slow things down although the jury is still out on this.

It is hoped that HIPs will reduce the number of sales that fall through before completion (around one in four) thereby saving time and money. However there are also fears that they will reduce the number of properties available for sale as sellers will not want to commit to the extra expense of a pack.

In these difficult times for selling property it might be a good idea to sell your house yourself without the expensive involvement of an estate agent.  Before you decide you should get all the infomation you can to understand the selling process.

Compulsory documents to be included in a HIP are listed in the Home Information Pack Index contained in the pack. 

The Energy Performance Certificate tells you how energy efficient a property is on scale from A to G with A being the most efficient.

The sale statement provides basic information about the property being sold such as the address, whether it is freehold, leasehold or commonhold and whether or not it is being sold with vacant possession.

Standard searches such as those relating to planning decisions, road building and provision of drainage and water.

Evidence of title documents that prove that the seller is the legal owner and has the right to  sell the property.

Additional information for leasehold or commonhold properties where appropriate.

Optional documents that can be included

A home condition report contains details about the condition of a property and sellers, buyers and lenders can rely on it as being legal and accurate.

Legal summary

A home use/contents form gives the buyer information about things like boundaries and fixtures and fittings.

Other documents if included like non standard searches such as those covering rights of way or potential environmental hazards like flooding can help speed up the selling/buying process.

Additional information for leasehold or commonhold properties where appropriate.

More detailed information can be found at homeinformationpacks.gov.uk.