Home Information Packs (HIP)

The objective of the Home Information Package is to help the buyer by providing important information on the property and thus avoiding any surprises at the end of the sales process. It must be provided by the seller or the seller’s agent. You can not market your propery without it as it is a legal requirement.

The HIP lets buyers see important information about the property at the start of the process, free of charge. Before this came into practice one in four transactions collapsed before contracts were exchanged and one million pounds a day was being wasted, mainly due to transactions failing at a late stage. With a HIP there is less chance of buyers becoming aware of any surprises at the end of the process. The home information pack can help reduce delays and extra expense to the buyer and seller.

Compulsory documents for a HIP:

1: The Home Information Pack Index
2: Property Information Questionnaire (PIQ)
3: Energy Performance Certificate/Predicted Energy Assessment
4: Sustainability information for newly built homes
5: Sale statement
6: Evidence of title
7: Standard searches

You don’t need a HIP for:

1: Properties where there is no marketing, for example if you are selling to a member of your family
2: Non-residential properties
3: Properties listed by law to use as holiday accommodation or occupation for less than 11 months per year
4: Mixed sales, for example a shop with flat
5: Sales of portfolios of properties, for example selling two properties together
properties not being sold with completely vacant possession, for example with a sitting tenant
6: Unsafe properties and properties due to be demolished
7: Properties sold through the ‘Right to Buy’, ‘Right to Acquire’ and ‘Social HomeBuy’ home ownership schemes