Why do I need a Home Information Pack?
It is now a legal requirement that all homes must need a Home Information Pack (HIP) ordered before it can be placed on the market for sale.
Home Information Packs will help both buyers and sellers to take away much of the stress and lost money and speed up the process that is always associated with buying and selling properties.
The HIP is a set of documents providing important information about the property, such as its energy efficiency, boundary ownership and approved planning permissions.
Approximately 30% of property sales in the UK fall through causing frustration and expense for all involved. Providing this information up front will enable potential purchasers to make a more informed decision much earlier in the process which will improve the speed and conclusion of transactions and reduce wasted costs.
What's in a Home Information Pack?
A Home Information Pack consists of 'Required Content' and 'Authorised Content'. All documentation must be accurately referenced in an index that has to be updated every time a document is added or changed.
Below are details of the documentation that is included within each section:
Required Content The following documents are 'Required Content' and must be included in every HIP
Index
Energy Performance Certificate
Land Registry Title and Plan
Copy of the New Homes Warranty (if applicable)
Drainage and Water Searches
Additional Documents for Lease hold Properties (including a copy of the Lease and Landlord details)
Authorised Content The following 'Authorised Documents' do not have to be provided in the HIP, however the regulations recommend that they are included where relevant to the property for sale
Home Condition Report
Additional Property searches relating to the sale of the property (e.g. Environmental Search, regionally appropriate searches or Flood Risk Search)
Information identifying the property (e.g. a map)
Information about the source or supply of any pack document, including additional Land Registry documents for Commonhold or Leasehold properties
Warranties or Guarantees including any extra insurance policies or guarantees that may be of interest to a buyer
Additional Land Searches that relate to other land or property in the vicinity of the property
Home Use Form
Home Contents Form
When is a Home Information Pack not needed?
You do not need a Home Information Pack for the following:
Properties where there is no marketing (e.g. sale to a member of your family)
Non-residential properties
Seasonal and holiday accommodation
Mixed sales (e.g. shop with flat)
Right to buy and similar sales
Sales of portfolios of properties
Properties not being sold with completely vacant possession
Unsafe properties and properties to be demolished
Properties already on the market when the duty to have a pack arises (1 August for sales of homes with 4 bedrooms or more, and 10 September for sales of homes with 3 bedrooms or more)
For more information on Home Information Packs visit www.homeinformationpacks.gov.uk
HIP-HIPS-Home Information Packs
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