• What is a Home Information Pack (HIP)?
• What's in a HIP?
• What is an EPC?
• What HIP elements are required when?

Sellers

• How long will a Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA) take to compile my Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)?
• Why should a seller commission environmental or other authorised searches?
• Should a seller include a legal summary within a HIP?
• What's the shelf life of a HIP?

Buyers

• How much is a HIP?
• What should I do with a HIP?
• If I've got any questions, who can I ask?
• Can I trust a HIP?
• Why are there things missing?

What is a Home Information Pack (HIP)?

The Home Information Pack contains important information about a property that buyers need to know. When a property is marketed the home seller will need to provide prospective buyers with a number of documents about their home. Previously these documents would have been compiled throughout the sale, so it's hoped that by providing clear information about properties up front, the process of buying and selling will be made smoother.

What's in a HIP?

A HIP contains the following compulsory (required) items:

• Index
• Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
• Sale statement
• Searches including local searches and a drainage and water search
• Evidence of title
• Leasehold and commonhold documents

It may also include the following optional (authorised) items:

• Other searches e.g. coal and environmental searches
• Home Condition Report
• Legal summary
• Home use/contents form

What is an EPC?

An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) tells potential buyers how energy efficient a home is. Homes will be rated on a scale from A to G, with the most efficient homes (with the lowest fuel bills) in band A.

The certificate also tells you about the effect the home has on the environment (again rated on a scale from A to G). Homes with better ratings have less impact through carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.

The average property in the UK will be in bands D or E for both ratings. EPCs also include recommendations on ways to improve a home's energy efficiency - so you can save money and help the environment.

If you're selling a property that's being built, you'll need to provide a predicted assessment of the property's energy efficiency. However, a full EPC should be provided when the home is completed.

What HIP elements are required when?

Sellers

How long will a Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA) take to compile my Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)?

The DEA must physically visit your home in order to carry out an energy performance assessment. This will usually take about an hour.

Why should a seller commission environmental or other authorised searches?

Sellers may want to carry out authorised searches if it's thought they might improve the saleability of the property. Any extra information brings greater transparency to the sale process, and the authority of the searches can help dispel any doubts a potential buyer might have.

For example, if a buyer is worried about contamination or flooding, a search will show them exactly how much risk there is - there may be historic contamination of the site or adjoining land that's been properly remediated, or a property may technically be on a flood plain, but there may be no historic record of any flooding.

Should a seller include a legal summary within a HIP?

The legal content in HIPs can be complicated and unfamiliar to homeowners, so a legal summary can be really useful, explaining the main points in understandable terms. However, this may not be necessary if the buyer's solicitor or conveyancer is advising them.

What's the shelf life of a HIP?

If all regulations are adhered to when a HIP is compiled, none of the components have a prescribed shelf life - as long as the property remains on the market. The contents may, however, be reviewed at any time.

Buyers

How much is a HIP?

Sellers are responsible for purchasing HIPs, so they're free for buyers - although a buyer may be charged a reasonable copying and postage fee if they request a copy of a HIP.

What should I do with a HIP?

When you're interested in buying a property, you should always look at its HIP - ask your estate agent for a Government leaflet called 'What to look for in your HIP'. You might also want to give a copy of the HIP to your solicitor before you put in an offer, so they can advise you on any legal issues.

If you haven't given your solicitor a copy already, it's recommended that you give your solicitor a copy of the HIP once your offer's been accepted - it should save you time and money in the rest of the process.

If I've got any questions, who can I ask?

Your HIP provider is your first port of call for any questions, although they may pass you on to other organisations if they don't feel they have enough experience to answer your questions.

Can I trust a HIP?

Yes, although caveat emptor still applies (you're responsible for making sure the HIP is of reasonable quality). It's advisable to be cautious and seek your solicitor's opinion on the documents included within a HIP. If something comes to light after you've bought a property, you should contact your HIP provider.

Why are there things missing?

Sellers can market their home if they have requested their HIP for a transitional period up until 31st December 2007. A pack may also contain proof that some of the documents have been ordered. If you have an offer accepted on that property before these documents arrive, it is advisable to make sure that your solicitor knows to expect them otherwise your solicitor may order them again, and charge you!