What Is the Home Information Pack?

Julieanne Jensen - Home Heating Guide - 16th March 2008

The Home Information Pack or HIP is a set of documents relating to a property which the seller must provide by law before a home can be sold.

The scheme was introduced in England and Wales in 2007 by the government who hoped it would make the process of buying and selling a home simpler for all involved. It was expected the length of time taken, from a property was put on the market until the sale was completed, would be greatly reduced therefore speeding up the whole housing market.

The pack contains various documents some of which are compulsory and some voluntary.

Compulsory documents include an index of contents, standard searches, a sale statement and an Evidence of Title which proves the seller does indeed have the authority to sell the property.

Also required is an Energy Performance Certificate. This states how energy efficient the property is and also rates how environmentally friendly it is. This check is carried out by a qualified assessor.

Non compulsory documents can include a Home Condition Report. This gives a prospective buyer a clear and detailed report on the physical condition of the property. It is necessary to hire a Home Inspector to provide this report.

Other items that can be included in this section are any current warranties or guarantees for work which has been carried out on the property, any other relevant search information and home use or contents forms.

The Home Information Pack can be provided by the estate agent, a solicitor, a conveyancer or you can compile the information yourself.

Originally it was predicted the Home Information Pack would cost the seller around £600 including a Home Condition Report. As this report has now been made voluntary rather than compulsory, the pack now costs anything from £300 - £600 to compile with the Home Condition Report costing up to £1000 to have carried out.

Currently all homes which have been placed on the market since the legislation came into place must have a Home Information Pack. Dates the law came into practice are 1 August 2007 for all homes with 4 or more bedrooms, 10 September 2007 for all homes with 3 or more bedrooms and 14 December 2007 for all homes with one or two bedrooms.

Homes which were put up for sale before these dates and which are still on the market do not at present require a Home Information Pack, although this is likely to change in the future.

Not all homes are required by law to have a pack, although there are few exceptions. Properties which are being traded between family members or friends, or homes purchased through right to buy schemes from housing associations or local authorities are exempt as are certain properties which have business licences.

It is the responsibility of the person marketing the property, whether this is the seller himself or an estate agent managing the sale, to provide a Home Information Pack. Failure to do so can result in a fine of £200.