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

Sellers

• Why should a seller commission environmental or other authorised searches?
• What's the shelf life of a HIP?
• Who is the 'responsible person' for a HIP?
• What are the sellers responsibilities?
• When can the marketing of a property begin?

Buyers

• What should I do with a HIP?
• If I've got any questions, who can I ask?
• Can I trust a HIP?
• When are buyers entitled to receive the HIP?

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
• Property Information Questionnaire (PIQ)
• Searches including local authority searches and a drainage and water search
• Evidence of title

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

• Other searches e.g. coal and environmental searches
• Leasehold and commonhold documents

What HIP elements are required when?

Sellers

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.

What's the shelf life of a HIP?

While a property is on the market continuously, there is no legal requirement to obtain a new HIP or update any of the content (except to replace the predicted EPC with an EPC when it becomes available).

If there has been a break in marketing over 28 days then a new HIP must be obtained. It may be possible to re-use the EPC as along as it is not more than 3yrs old.

It should be noted that although it is not regulation, The Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) recommend that all searches within a HIP should be no more than six months old.
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Who is the 'responsible person' for a HIP?

This is either the seller of the property of their estate agent

What are the sellers responsibilities?

Sellers should complete the PIQ and should also see the other documents in the HIP for their own home to ensure they are accurate. It is the sellers responsibility to pay for the HIP, but buyers can be asked to pay a reasonable charge to cover copying and postage for sending a paper copy. The HIP Regulations make no provision for charging sellers an extra cost to receive a copy of their own Pack.

When can the marketing of a property begin?

A property can only be put on the market when all the required Home Information Pack (HIP) documents have been commissioned and paid for, or a commitment to pay has been made and a Pack is available.

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.

Can I trust a HIP?

All official HIPs should show the HIP code logo somewhere on the pack. If you are uncertain, its advisable to 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.

When are buyers entitled to receive the HIP?

Potential buyers are entitled to receive a copy of the HIP, or any part of it from the responsible person on request and this should be provided to them within 14 days.