Home Information Pack (HIP)
The Home Information Pack (also known as 'seller's pack') is a set of documents providing important information about a property such as local searches, sale statement, searches and evidence of title and information regarding its energy efficiency. By providing this information upfront it may speed up the selling process and potential buyers will be able to make an better informed decision, avoiding delays, uncertainties and unnecessary expenses.
What can you expect in your Pack?
The following compulsory documents must be included in every Home Information Pack to an individual property:
- Home Information Pack Index (list of the documents included in the pack)
- Energy Performance Certificate (or an optional Home Condition Report containing a separate Energy Performance Certificate)
- Sale statement (name of seller and address of property being sold, whether the property is freehold or leasehold)
- Standard local authority, Water Company, Environmental searches
- Evidence of title (proof that the seller owns the property and, therefore, has the right to sell it, and whether the property is registered or unregistered)
- Additional information is required for leasehold and commonhold and new build properties
Provider of Home Condition Report (HCR)
As qualified licenced home inspectors we provide Home Condition Reports which are currently an optional component of the Home Information Pack (HIP). The HCR rates the condition of parts of the property on a scale 1-3, where 1 is the best. Through the HCR both the seller and the prospective buyer know if there are any repairs needed to the property and if so how serious they are.
Adding extra value
To make the HIP more informative and assist in reaching an earlier conclusion of the sale process you can also include other authorised documents such as:
- Home Condition Report (voluntary basis)
- An environmental or drainage, water, flood risk search
- Fixtures and fittings list detailing what's included or excluded from the sale
- Double glazing certificates
- Planning permissions and other information that would be of interest to a potential buyer as defined in the regulations (replies to standard preliminary enquiries made on behalf of buyers, copies of any planning, listed building and building regulations consents and approvals, for new properties copies of warranties and guarantees)