Home Information Packs (HIPS)

What is a Home Information Pack?

Basically, it is a set of documents giving some information about a property being sold. The government feels that providing information early will speed up the conveyancing process and get people moved more quickly. In theory this concept could help achieve this, but the way it has worked out in practice means it isn't necessarily as simple as that, and for the most part the HIP is an irrelevance that buyers don't look at, and sellers have to pay for.   The only real benefit at the moment is that the Local Search is usually available slightly earlier than previously.

Do all sales need a HIP?

With a few limited exceptions (set out on the HIP Exemptions page), any residential property in England & Wales first marketed in any way from 14th December 2007 will require a HIP.  There are earlier dates for 3 and 4 bedroom properties.   Richard Webster & Co can arrange a HIP for you.    See our page about Arranging A Home Information Pack or Get a Quote for this.

What is in a Home Information Pack?

There are compulsory ("required") items:

And optional ("authorised") items:

  • A Home Condition Report. This is the simplified form of Survey that the Government had hoped would be provided in every case but a new profession of "Home Inspector" was created and they still do not appear to be a sufficient number of trained inspectors.
  • Other Searches
  • Copies of other relevant documents relating to the  title
  • Copies of Guarantees, Reports, Service Contracts etc
  • A Home Use Form or Sellers Property Information Form
  • A List of Fixtures, Fittings and Contents to be included in the sale.
  • For Leasehold Property, copies of accounts and statements relating to ground rent and maintenance/service charge and buildings insurance details.   These will become compulsory documents  in the Spring of 2008.