Home Information Packs
What are HIPs?
HIP is short for Home Information Pack. All owners wishing to sell a home are required by law to obtain a HIP in order to market their property for sale. The government has introduced this legislation to help improve the selling and buying experience.
A HIP will contain the following compulsory documents:
An index (of the contents of the pack)
A sale statement (address, lease information, registration)
Energy Performance Certificate
Standard searches (local land charges register, water & drainage searches)
Evidence of title (proof of ownership)
Additional information for Leasehold and Commonhold sales were appropriate
In addition, you may request the following:
Home Condition Report (information about the physical condition of the property)
Legal summary (summary of the complex legal content within the pack)
Home use/contents forms
Other documents (additional searches i.e. flood risk, contaminated land)
When are HIPs not required?
Properties were there is no marketing e.g. sale to family.
Non-residential property.
Seasonal and holiday accommodation.
Mixed sales e.g. shop with flat.
Right to Buy and similar sales.
Sale of portfolio of properties.
Unsafe properties.
Properties to be demolished.
Properties not being sold with completely vacant possession.
Properties already on the market when the duty to have a pack arose i.e. 1st August 2007 for 4 bed homes.
New build homes built under Part L of the Building Regulations 2006 (these will follow at a later date).