Home Information Packs (HIPs)

Since December 2007 Home Information Packs - HIPs - have been essential for every home going on the market ....but what are they and why do you need one?

HIPs are a government initiative, intended to make it easy for potential buyers to access important information about a property which is up for sale.

It is now a legal requirement for almost all homes on the market to have a HIP and if you want to put your house up for sale, you are responsible for compiling the necessary documentation for the HIP.

Freehold property HIPs must include:

• a Home Information Pack index
• an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC).
• sustainability information (newly built home only)
• a sale statement (confirming the property's address),
• evidence of title
• standard searches (local authority and drainage and & water)
  

Leasehold/commonhold property HIPs must include:

• all the documents listed above
• a copy of the lease
• commonhold documents (if appropriate)

Optional documents include:

• a Home Condition Report
• a legal summary
• a home use or contents form.
• a specialised search report.

Yes. If you have found a property which you are interested in buying, you can ask whoever is advertising the property for sale for the HIP.

A copy of the HIP must be given to you free of charge, although in some instances you may be charged a small fee to cover the cost of copying and posting.

If you are selling your home you can either put the HIP together yourself or hire an estate agent, solicitor, or a specialist HIP provider to do it for you.

Get more information on compiling a HIP yourself.

If you use a HIP provider, make sure they subscribe to the HIP Code. The HIP Code provides protection for buyers, sellers, estate agents, conveyancers and mortgage lenders, who rely on the information included in a HIP and lays out the minimum standards which HIP providers must meet.

The cost of a HIP can vary significantly, however the average cost of a HIP id between £300 and £350.

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