guide to HIPs when buying a property

Since 14 December, every property being marketed in England and Wales has required a Home Information Pack. So what information should a buyer expect to find in a HIP?

What's the point of a Home Information Pack?

A Home Information Pack brings together essential information needed by buyers at the very start of the home-buying process, and ensures that important information, such as the energy-efficiency of a home, is made available to the prospective buyer. For buyers, the Pack is provided free of charge (although a reasonable charge may be made for copying and postage).

for sale

As a buyer, you should request the HIP on a property you are interested in, and check that it is complete. If any items are missing, there should be a satisfactory explanation and an assurance that the missing items will be provided as soon as possible.

What should be included in the Home Information Pack?

There are a number of compulsory ("Required") documents that should be provided in a HIP, as well as a number of optional documents ("Authorised").

Compulsory documents

The compulsory documents are as follows:

  • Home Information Pack Index
  • Energy Performance Certificate
  • Sale statement
  • Standard searches
  • Evidence of title
  • Additional information for leasehold and commonhold sales, where appropriate.

Optional documents

In addition, a number of optional documents may be included, such as:

  • Home Condition Report
  • Legal summary
  • Home use/contents forms
  • Other documents (i.e. guarantees and warranties for work already carried out on properties, an environmental or flood risk search and other information that would be of interest to a potential buyer).
Who is responsible for commissioning the HIP and who compiles them?

The seller is responsible for the cost of a Home Information Pack. The seller can choose to compile the HIP themselves, appoint an estate agent, solicitor, or a specialist HIP provider. If you're selling a home and require a HIP, you can arrange your HIP directly with Primelocation.com.

You are advised to ensure the HIP has been provided by a company that is a member of the 'HIP Code', which provides protection for home-buyers, sellers, estate agents, conveyancers and mortgage lenders, who rely on the information included in a HIP provided on residential property within England and Wales. It sets out minimum standards which HIP providers have to meet. All HIPs which comply with this Code will include the HIP Code logo. You can check whether a provider subscribes to the Code by contacting the Property Codes Compliance Board.

When should you expect to receive a Home Information Pack?

Currently, a HIP must be commissioned before the property can be marketed. An EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) for the property must be provided to the prospective purchasers before the exchanging of contracts.

How do you obtain a HIP?

When you are buying a property, you should ask whoever is advertising it for the Home Information Pack. This would usually be an estate agent, but could be another business or individual. If it's an estate agent, they must show you a copy of the HIP. If you want to get a copy of the HIP, you can get one from the estate agent free of charge (although a reasonable charge may be added to cover the cost of copying and postage). If the seller isn't using an estate agent, you should be able to get the HIP directly from them.

Are there circumstances when a HIP won't be required for a property?

There are circumstances when a Home Information Pack is not required. These include:

  • Properties where there is no marketing (for instance, buying from a family member)
  • Non-residential properties
  • Seasonal and holiday accommodation
  • Mixed sales (i.e. shop with flat)
  • Right-to-buy and similar sales
  • Sales of portfolios of properties
  • Properties not being sold with completely vacant possession
  • Unsafe properties and properties to be demolished
  • New homes built under Part L of the Building Regulations 2006 (these will be brought in by a separate commencement order in due course).

The content provided in the Primelocation.com guides is for information only. In all cases, independent and professional advice should be sought before buying, selling, letting or renting property, or buying financial services products.

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