Home Information Packs
Home Information Packs
Domestic Home Information Packs
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HIP's change the way we buy and sell homes...
The Home Information Pack or HIP is a collection of statutory documents which gives information about the seller's property. By making this information available when you first put the property on the market it is anticipated that the HIP will help to speed up the whole process and stop some sales falling through later on when costs have already been incurred in surveys and legal fees etc.As a collection of statutory documents, the legislation states exactly what must be in a HIP as a minimum. It also states what extra documents can be added if individual sellers choose to do so. That means you can not just put in anything you want to. We can tell you all the options open to you and advise you on the best course of action for you to take.
Regulations set out what are to be included in a Home Information Pack. The contents are split into "required" and "authorised". Required documents must be included in the pack where appropriate and authorised documents may be included at the seller's discretion.
What a Home Information Pack MUST contain
The following documents must be included in a Home Information Pack (HIP):- An Index
which lists documents contained in the HIP and provides a checklist for sellers, buyers, estate agents and enforcement authorities. The index must also state if a required document is not included and explain what steps are being taken to obtain it. The index must be updated whenever documents are added or removed.
- A Property Information Questionnaire (PIQ)
which is to be completed by the seller. The PIQ provides a helpful checklist for buyers of simple information they need to know about a property, before making any decision, including gas and electricity safety, flood risk information, previous structural damage, parking arrangements and a leasehold summary where appropriate.
- An Energy Performance Certificate
Predicted Energy Assessment (PEA) which gives homeowners, tenants and buyers information on the energy and carbon emission efficiency of a property through an A - G grade rating, where A is very efficient and G is least efficient. The EPC also gives advice on cost effective ways to improve the rating. For new homes sold off-plan the requirement is to include a PEA, which should be replaced by a full EPC when the home is built.
- A certificate or interim certificate (for new builds)
showing the sustainability of the home where it complies with the standards under the Code for Sustainable Homes or a nil-rated certificate where the property has not been assessed against the code. This will be available from the developer.
- A sale of statement
that includes the name of the seller, property address, whether it is freehold, leasehold or commonhold, registered or unregistered, whether it is being sold with vacant possession and in what capacity the seller is selling the property (eg selling on behalf of a deceased owner).
- Evidence of title
documents that prove the seller owns and has the right to sell the property. If the property is registered, certain documents available from the Land Registry must be included in the HIP. These provide an official record of who owns the land and include official copies of the individual register (made up of a property register, proprietorship register and typically a charges register) and an official copy of the title plan. If the property is unregistered, the HIP must include copies of a certificate of an official search of the index map (obtained from the Land Registry), and the documents that the seller intends to rely on to provide evidence of title to the property and the right to sell it.
- Standard searches
including a search of the local land charges register and other records held by the local authority (regarding such issues as planning decisions and road building proposals) and details on the provision of drainage and water services to the property.
- A copy of the lease
or information about commonhold.
Optional Documents:
There are a number of optional documents which can be included in a HIP should the seller wish it;
- A Home Condition Report
which contains information about the physical condition of the property - A legal summary
which provides a plain English explanation of the legal documents in the HIP - A home contents form
which provides a plain English explanation of the legal documents in the HIP - Non standard searches
covering things like rights of way, ground stability, actual or potential environmental hazards and mining - Other documents
such as guarantees and warranties for maintenance and renovation work carried out - Additional leasehold documents
such as information on service charges, ground rent and insurance, a summary of ongoing or proposed works or managing agent details
Most of these documents were already used during the course of property transactions, so there is nothing new for you or your advisors to see. The only new document is the Energy Performance Certificate If you are using an Estate Agent or Solicitor to sell your property make sure that they are using Home Survey Reports to create your Home Information Pack. Once we are instructed, we can keep you both informed. We will provide you and your agent with passwords to our online Home Information System so that you can chart the progress of completing your HIP.
There are even sections of the HIP which you can choose to complete which may help your property sale to complete more quickly. For example there is a Home Content Form which you can complete that states what is included in the sale. Ask our customer services team to guide you through this.
