Shake your HIPs

Make the most of your Home Information Pack

If you’re buying a new house, make the most of the Home Information Pack (HIP).  The government recommend that you always ask to see the pack – as doing so can save you time and money!  HIPs were introduced in England & Wales in 2007 and a similar scheme is expected to launch in Scotland in 2008, with the aim of making the house buying process smoother and more transparent for all involved.

What is a HIP?
A HIP (Home Information Pack) is a collection of documents providing information about a property being offered for sale.  This pack is commissioned by a house-seller before they put their property on the market and must be made available to any buyers who are interested in the property. 

What does the pack include?
A HIP must contain:

• An index of contents
• An Energy Performance Certificate – this demonstrates how energy efficient a home is.
• A sale statement – this provides basic information about the property including, seller’s name and address.
• Evidence of title – these documents contain important information about the legal ownership of the property, including a plan of the land being sold.
• Standard Searches – these provide details of the provision of water and drainage to the property and any Local Authority information that may be of interest to potential buyers.
• Leasehold or commonhold documents where appropriate.

Additional Information;

There are a number of non-essential documents that may be included in the pack, for example;

• Home condition report – this provides a detailed report on the physical condition of the property. 
• Environmental reports

If, for any reason, there are documents missing from the pack this must be noted in the index. 

Seller Info

Do I need a HIP?
HIPs were phased in during the second half of 2007 and became compulsory for all homes being sold in England and Wales on 14th December 2007. If you’re selling a property, in order to comply with the regulations, you need to make sure you have ordered and made arrangements to pay for the HIP before your property can be marketed.

How do I arrange my HIP?
We’ve teamed up with LMS to provide competitively priced HIPs for our customers.  LMS are one of the UK’s leading providers of HIPs, with over 15 years experience in providing conveyancing and survey services to UK consumers.  Call 0845 075 7460 to arrange your HIP today.

How long will my HIP be valid?
Until your property is sold.  However, the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) must not be more than 12 months old and official entries and title plan, index map search and local authority and drainage searches must be no more than three months old at the point when the marketing begins.

How much will my HIP cost?
The cost of HIPs vary depending on the property value and whether you decide to pay upfront or defer the cost of your payment.

How long does it take to arrange my HIP?
LMS aim to create a HIP for a standard freehold property within 5 working days.  HIPs for leasehold or properties with an unregistered title, may take longer to produce.

Buyer Info

How do I request a HIP for a property that I’m interested in?
Ask the person who’s advertising the property for the Home Information Pack (HIP).  This is usually the estate agent but if the seller isn’t using an agent, you should be able to get the pack directly from them.

How much will a HIP cost?
As a buyer, the pack will cost you nothing.  However, the person who provides the pack may charge you a small amount for copying and postage.

What does a pack look like?
To view a sample Home Information Pack, visit the government’s official HIPS website

How will the pack help me?
The pack will provide you with up-front information at the start of the buying process which will help you to make an informed decision before putting in an offer. 

Related Links;

• The government’s official HIP information website
• LMS website