What are HIPs?

No-one should be expected to make the biggest purchase decision of their life without having accurate and comprehensive information from the outset.
A home information pack (HIP) provides key selling information about a house, up front and in a standard format, enabling buyers to make an informed decision before they put in an offer.

The information buyers really need is currently available only after an offer has been accepted, which can cause sales to be renegotiated or collapse entirely, for example if a survey comes back showing additional work may be required to the property.

From 1 August 2007 anyone selling a 4-bedroom (or bigger) house in England or Wales will have to provide a HIP before they can put their house on the market.

Current government guidelines indicate that it will contain:

• Sales statement
• Index
• Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
• Evidence of title
• Legal searches
• Warranties and guarantees
• Planning consents

You'll be able to include relevant additional information, for example the Home Use and Home Contents forms.

For leasehold properties you will additionally need:

• Copy of the lease
• Recent service charge accounts and receipts
• Buildings insurance policy details
• Landlord/management company regulations