The Home Information Pack (HIP)

What is it?

In order to speed up the process of transacting property, the Government have introduced new legislation. This now requires Vendors to provide specific legal property information in advance (historically required at exchange of contracts). This is the basis of the Home Information Pack (or HIP). A HIP must now be instigated on all residential properties being marketed for sale including new-builds. The Home Information Pack (No 2) Regulations 2007 set out the provisions on the compulsory (required) and optional (authorised) content of the pack.

The required documents are:
Home Information Pack Index
Energy Performance Certificate
Sale Statement
Evidence of Title
Local and Drainage & Water searches
Additional information for leasehold and commonhold sales where appropriate

The authorised documents include:
Home Condition Report
Home use/contents form
Legal Summary
Other Searches

Sellers can use authorised documents to top up their packs to include additional material judged to be of interest to prospective buyers.

From June 1st 2008, all of the required documents have to be available prior to marketing, with the exception of the searches (which should be made available within 28 days).