Home Information Packs

Why do I need a Home Information Pack?

The Home Information Pack (also known as the HIP) is compulsory for most homes that are placed on the market in England and Wales. Important changes were made to the HIPs on 6 April 2009 and you now need to a HIP arranged prior to marketing your property.

What does a HIP contain?

The HIP is made up of required (compulsory) and authorised (optional) items. There should not be any marketing or advertising material in the pack, so make sure it contains official information only. Listed below are all the compulsory documents that need to be included:

Freehold Properties:

• Home Information Pack Index
• The New Property Information Questionnaire (PIQ) (as of 6 April 2009)
• Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) or predicted Energy Assessment (PEA)
• Sustainability Information (required for newly-built homes)
• Sale Statement
• Evidence of Title
• Standard Searches (Local Authority, Drainage and Water)

Leasehold Properties

• All the compulsory documents as above
• A Copy of the Lease

Other documents can be included with you HIP, but these are optional. If they are included, it could help to speed up the sale and ensure that the process goes more smoothly. These items include:

• Home Condition Report (Survey)
• Legal Summary
• Home User/Contents Form
• Other documents such as specialist searches (for example, the seller may choose to include a Mining Search in a Mining area)

How do I arrange a HIP?

You can get a HIP from a Solicitor or a dedicated HIP provider. However torbridge can arrange for your HIP to be created, including an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) and a floorplan of your property and although you will pay for this in advance, when torbridge are successful in selling your property we will deduct this sum from our commission fee upon completion.

Source: www.direct.gov.uk