Home Information Packs

The HIP (Home Information Pack) is intended to make buying and selling a property much simpler and quicker by providing useful information for potential buyers. All properties new to the market now require a HIP and Cheffins will help you arrange one easily and efficiently.

Useful Tips for Vendors

Home Information Packs

The Home Information Pack contains important information that buyers and sellers need to know. It will contain information that was previously compiled by a solicitor at the conveyancing stage of a house sale so it should help to reduce the overall length of time required to complete a contract.

For sellers, a HIP should reduce the likelihood of any nasty surprises in the selling process that could delay a sale, since buyers will be able to make more informed decisions about purchasing the property.

For buyers, a HIP provides essential information, entirely free of charge, about any properties they are considering buying.

Essentially, HIPS are divided into compulsory (Required) and optional (Authorised) sections, so you can decide exactly how much information to provide for buyers.

Compulsory Information

The following compulsory documents must be included in a Home Information Pack.

Index - a list of all the documents included in the Pack (and any that are missing from it)

Energy Performance Certificate - this will provide a rating chart to show how energy efficient the building is and the likely energy costs of occupying the property

Sale statement - this provides basic information about the property, including:

  • The full postal address
  • Whether the property is freehold, leasehold or commonhold
  • Whether the property is registered or not
  • Whether or not the property is being sold with vacant possession

Standard searches - the HIP must include:

  • The local land charges register relating to the property being sold. Once a search is completed, which can be carried out by a personal search company or a local authority, you will receive an official search certificate.
  • Other records held by the local authority on matters of interest to buyers, such as planning decisions and road building proposals.
  • The provision of drainage and water services to the property.
  • Evidence of title - This proves that the seller owns the property and has the right to sell it. Where the property being sold is registered, certain documents (available from the Land Registry) must be included in the Pack. These provide an up-to-date official record of who owns the land, and consist of official copies of the individual register and the title plan.

Optional Information

Some documents in the Home Information Pack are optional. These include:

  • Home Condition Report – information about the physical condition of a property, which sellers, buyers and lenders will be able to rely on legally as an accurate report.
  • Legal summary – explaining some of the complex documents in the legal content of the pack
  • Home use/contents forms - information on boundaries, notices, services, sharing with neighbours, planning permissions and other matters of interest to potential buyers such as fixtures and fittings included in the sale.
  • Other documents - these may include nonstandard searches such as rights of way, ground stability and actual or potential environmental hazards such as flooding and contaminated land. Sellers may also want to include guarantees and warranties for work already carried out on their homes since they will be required as part of the contract.