HIPs provide key information needed by buyers and sellers at the very start of the home-buying process, making transactions more efficient and less likely to fall through between offer and exchange. HIP documents give consumers a clear, up front picture of what they are buying and selling.

If you're looking to sell your home then instruct the HIPs Trading Co. to compile your Home Information Pack.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a HIP?

The Home Information Pack (HIP) is a document which must be provided prior to the property being marketed for sale. It is a collection of documents which aims to provide the buyer with information about the properties legal information, surrounding services and pro and cons of its energy requirements.

Primarily the HIP can be thought of as two main components merged into one document. The bulk of the Home Information Pack is legal information which a solicitor will require to complete the sale of the property. The second part of the HIP is the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)

Prior to the introduction of the Home Information pack, the buyer (or buyers solicitor) would have been expected to produce all the searches etc, however the introduction of the pack now means the seller produces these items. They are exactly the same items which were required prior to the introduction of the pack, however now the seller must provide these details.

A HIP contains a collection of important documents that are required when houses are bought and sold. These include various legal searches, land registry documents and an energy performance certificate (EPC), which is intended to tell you and potential buyers how 'green' a house is. These are the compulsory elements for all properties: leasehold properties require additional information.

A home information pack contains the following

• Index of the documents contained within the pack
• Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
• Sales Statement summarising the property details & Terms of Sale
• Evidence of title from the land registry
• Local Authority Searches and a drainage & water search
• On leasehold properties, key information regarding the lease and the management company.
• Property information questionnaire

WHAT IS A HOME CONDITION REPORT (HCR)?

The optional HCR is a form of survey on the property that will be a legal requirement in the HIP. The HCR will comment on the condition of the property and give the property an energy rating. The HCR will be completed by a qualified home inspector, many of which will already be chartered surveyors. The HCR does not provide a valuation of the property. The Energy Performance Certificate is still mandatory..

WHAT PROPERTIES WILL REQUIRE A HIP?

It will be a legal requirement for all residential properties to obtain a HIP before marketing of the property begins. This includes shared ownership properties and properties sold through auction.

WHAT PROPERTIES WILL NOT REQUIRE A HIP?

A Home Information Pack will not be needed for:

• Residential Premises sold without vacant possession - i.e. with a sitting tenant.
• Non-residential premises. This needs to have been the most recent use, or a house where it is clear from the marketing that it is due to be converted, (needs to have relevant planning consents). This does not include home working.
• Dual use of a dwelling house. Property was most recently used for both residential and non-residential purposes and this is clear from the manner in which it is marketed.
• Mixed non-residential and residential property. Property is to be sold with one or more non-residential premises, or the house is secondary to the non-residential premises and the seller does not intend to accept an offer in isolation. This must be clear from the manner in which the property is marketed.
• Seasonal and holiday accommodation, if occupation is for less than 11 months out of 12, or property is only used for holiday accommodation. This must be clear from the manner in which the property is marketed.
• Portfolios of property. This applies when the seller does not intend to accept an offer for one property in isolation. It must also be clear in the marketing that the seller's intention is not to split the portfolio.
• Unsafe property, which is unoccupied and its condition poses a serious risk to visitors. It must be clear from the marketing that it is unsuitable for occupation.
• Property due to be demolished. It must be clear from the marketing that the property is suitable for demolition and that all the relevant planning permissions are in place.
• Property with land over 5 hectares, which is used primarily for agricultural purposes.

WHAT IF ALL THE DOCUMENTATION IS NOT AVAILABLE ON THE PROPERTY?

The property can still be marketed after 14 days if despite reasonable efforts a particular document cannot be sourced either because it has been lost or because there is a delay in getting it.

HOW LONG WILL A HIP LAST?

The Home Information Pack is valid for the life of the sale of the property. This however is subject to the property remaining on the market continuously for sale. As the seller you are entitled more instruct as many agent as you wish to sell the property, you may also remove agents but it is recommended the property remains for sale. If the property is removed from marketed sale this may invalidate the pack, we would therefore always recommended consulting a legal representative regarding this.

The only exception to the life span of the home information pack is the energy performance certificate (epc) this expires in three years from the date it was produced. As this item expires after the 3 year time frame has elapsed a new epc can be instructed and added to the existing pack.