Home Information Packs (HIPs)
Government guidelines state that properties marketed for sale from 14 December 2007 in England and Wales will need a Home Information Pack (HIP). If you're a buyer, you should ask for a Home Information Pack. If you're a seller, you need to make sure you have commissioned a Pack by the time that you market your property.
Do I need a HIP?
Currently, any property that was already on the market on the relevant commencement date (i.e. 1 August 2007 for sales of homes with four or more bedrooms; 10 September 2007 for those with three or more bedrooms and 14 December for all properties) does not need to have a HIP. At this stage no such date has been set when all properties that are on the market will be required to have a HIP.
If your house has not been taken off the market i.e. continuous marketing has occurred, then you will not need to commission a HIP. If however, there was a break in marketing you will need to supply a HIP.
What is in a HIP?
The Home Information Pack (HIP) includes an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), containing advice on how to cut carbon emissions and fuel bills. Also included are documents such as a sale statement, searches and evidence of title. Some documents are mandatory and others optional.
The mandatory documents are:
- An index (i.e. a list of the contents of the HIP)
- A sale statement (summarising the terms of sale)
- Evidence of title
- Standard searches (i.e. local authority enquiries and a drainage and water search)
- An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
- Commonhold information (where appropriate)
- A copy of the lease (where appropriate)
Documents that are optional include:
- A Home Condition Report (HCR)
- Additional leasehold information
- Guarantees and warranties
- Other searches relevant to the particular area
Who compiles the HIP?
Sellers can hire estate agents, solicitors, separate pack providers, or do it themselves.
Who pays for the HIP?
The seller is responsible for the cost of a Home Information Pack.
For further information, please visit http://www.homeinformationpacks.gov.uk/consumer/