Home Information Packs
What's in a Home Information Pack?
The Home Information Pack contains important information that buyers and sellers need to know.
Properties marketed for sale from 14 December 2007 in England and Wales need a Home Information Pack.
Benefits for sellers
For sellers, providing a Pack upfront should reduce the likelihood of any nasty surprises in the selling process that could delay the sale. Buyers will be able to make more informed decisions about purchasing their home.
Benefits for buyers
For buyers, the Pack provides essential information about properties they are considering buying, free of charge.
What does a Pack contain?
Energy Performance Certificate
Energy Performance Certificates tell you how energy efficient a home is on a scale of A-G. The most efficient homes - which should have the lowest fuel bills - are in band A.
The Certificate also tells you, on a scale of A-G, about the impact the home has on the environment. Better-rated homes should have less impact through carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.
The average property in the UK is in band D-E for both ratings. The Certificate includes recommendations on ways to improve the home's energy efficiency to save you money and help the environment.
Most sellers of newly built homes will have to provide a predicted assessment of the energy efficiency of the property, but a full Energy Performance Certificate should be provided to the buyer when the home is completed.
Sale Statement
The sale statement should provide some basic information about the property, including:
- The address of the property being sold
- Whether the property is freehold, leasehold or other
- Whether the property is registered or unregistered
- Whether or not the property is being sold with Vacant Possession or Occupied
Standard searches
The Home Information Pack must include:
The local land charges register relating to the property being sold. Once a search is completed, which can be carried out by a personal search company or a local authority, you will receive an official search certificate.
Other records held by the local authority on matters of interest to buyers, such as planning decisions and road building proposals. These are referred to as local enquiries in the Home Information Pack regulations. A local authority or a personal search company can be used.
The provision of drainage and water services to the property. The local water company or a personal search company can be used (however, the search must comply with the HIP Regulations).
Evidence of Title
These documents prove that the seller owns the property and therefore has the right to sell it. Where the property being sold is registered, certain documents that are available on request from the Land Registry must be included in the Pack. These provide an up-to-date official record of who owns the land, and consist of:
- Official copies of the individual register (made up of a property register, proprietorship register and typically a charges register)
- An official copy of the title plan
- In the case of the sale of a commonhold interest, official copies of the register and title plan should be produced for both the unit and common parts.
Sample HIP Pack
Please click here to download a sample of what is included within the HIP.
HIP Costs
This is dependant on the size of the property but in general is in the region of £400 - £600
Frequently asked questions about HIP?
When do I have to provide a HIP?
Properties marketed for sale from 14 December 2007 in England and Wales will need a Home Information Pack (HIP), which includes a home energy rating.
The Pack includes an Energy Performance Certificate, containing advice on how to cut carbon emissions and fuel bills. Also included are documents such as a sale statement, searches and evidence of title.
Currently, any property that was already on the market on the relevant commencement date (i.e. 1st August 2007 for sales of homes with four or more bedrooms; 10th September 2007 for those with three or more bedrooms and 14th December for all properties) does not need to have a HIP.
At this stage no such date has been set when all properties that are on the market will be required to have a HIP.
What goes in a HIP?
A HIP includes documents that are required when homes are bought and sold. Some documents are mandatory and others optional.
The mandatory documents are:
- An index (i.e. a list of the contents of the HIP)
- A sale statement (summarising the terms of sale)
- Evidence of title
- Standard searches (i.e. local authority enquiries and a drainage and water search)
- An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
- Common hold information (where appropriate)
- A copy of the lease (where appropriate)
Documents that are optional include:
- A Home Condition Report (HCR)
- Additional leasehold information
- Guarantees and warranties
- Other searches relevant to the particular area
Who compiles HIPs?
Sellers agent, solicitors, separate pack providers, or do it themselves.
Are HIPs required across the UK?
No - only in England and Wales
I'm selling my house privately - do I need a Home Information Pack?
If you are marketing your property, even if it's just by putting a 'for sale' sign in the window, you need a Pack. Sales where no marketing takes place (e.g. to a member of the family) won't need a Pack.
Who pays for the Pack?
The seller is responsible for the cost of a Home Information Pack. The cost of the Pack is generally in the region of £400 - £600.
How will I pay for the Pack?
Payment can be made simply to the UKpropertyshop by any of the following methods: Visa/Debit/Mastercard/AMEX/Bank Cheque or we now even accept PayPal
Do I have to put electrical certificates in my Pack?
Electrical certificates (past or present) are not a required component of the Pack, but can be included if the seller has them.
I've lost guarantees of work I have had done - what do I do?
Don't worry - guarantees are not a required component of the Pack, but can be included if you have them.
Should the pack include a Home Condition Report?
A Home Condition Report could help you sell your property more quickly if it shows that it is in good order. If it highlights any problems straight away for potential buyers, it can avoid nasty surprises for buyers later in the process.
My house has been on the market before HIPs came in. If I change Estate Agents now, do I have to get a HIP?
If your house has not been taken off the market i.e. continuous marketing has occurred, then no, you will not need to commission a HIP. If however, there was a break in marketing you will need to supply a HIP.
For any further information please do not hesitate to contact us.