Gloucestershire Trading Standards Service - Consumers

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Home Information Packs

A Home Information Pack (HIP) is compulsory for all homes on the market in England and Wales. It is a set of documents that gives the buyer key information on the property and must be provided by the seller or the seller's agent.

Why do you need a HIP?

It is a legal requirement to have a HIP and you can't market your property without one. The HIP lets buyers see important information on the property at the start of the process, free of charge. This means there is less chance of buyers becoming aware of any surprises at the end of the process that can cause delays and extra expense to the buyer and seller.

What does a HIP contain?

The HIP is made up of required (compulsory) and authorised (optional) items. There shouldn't be any marketing or advertising material in the pack, so make sure it contains official information only. Optional documents may help to speed up the sale and ensure that the process goes more smoothly.

Compulsory documents

Home Information Pack Index
Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
sustainability information (required for newly built homes only)
sale statement
evidence of title
standard searches (local authority and drainage and water)
a copy of the lease (if a leasehold property)

Optional documents

Home condition report
legal summary
home use/contents form
other documents such as specialised search reports (for example, the seller may choose to include a mining search in a mining area)

Buyers

If you are buying a property, just ask whoever is advertising it for sale for the Home Information Pack. This is usually an estate agent, but could be another business or individual.

They must give you a copy of the pack free of charge (although they may make a reasonable charge to cover the costs of copying and posting it).

Sellers

The person responsible for marketing a property (in most cases, the estate agent) must have commissioned a HIP by the time that the property is on the market.

Who compiles the HIP?

You can compile it yourself or you can hire an estate agent, solicitor or HIP provider to do it for you. Always make sure that your HIP provider is signed up to a code of practice.

Who pays for the HIP?

The seller is responsible for the cost of a HIP. The cost of the HIP can vary so make sure you check the market rate. Some HIP providers may offer free packs, or a no-sale, no-fee arrangement, but you should always check the terms and conditions of your contract.

What will a pack look like?

There isn't a standard 'look' for a Home Information Pack. The only requirements are that it includes all of the compulsory ('required') items and that certain important documents were no more than three months old when the property was first marketed for sale.