Home Information Packs (HIPs) - faqs

Since 10 September 2007 HIPs have been required for the sale of three bedroom properties and larger. However, since 14 December 2007, the government roll-out of HIPs extended to all properties proposed for sale.
Your HIP will need to be ordered before your property can be marketed.

Until the home is sold, and if it's taken off the market for less than a year and then re-marketed, the same Pack may be used.

Sellers can hire estate agents, solicitors, separate pack providers, or do it themselves. Your estate agent can order a HIP for your property directly from Primelocation.com for only £284 plus VAT*.

No - only in England and Wales.

There are two categories of people who will be responsible where a property is on the market and therefore subject to the duties concerning the availability of HIPs - the seller of that property, or someone acting as an estate agent on behalf of the seller.

If you are marketing your property, even if it's just by putting a 'for sale' sign in the window, you will need to commission a Pack. Sales where no marketing takes place (e.g. to a member of the family) won't need a Pack.

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• The final phase of the roll-out to properties with two bedrooms or fewer from 14 December 2007.
• Publication in December of guidance on access to search data and a consultation paper on local authority charging aiming to speed up searches and deliver a fairer deal for consumers.
• A further extension of the temporary First Day Marketing provisions for an additional 5 months to allow for full flexibility (from 1 June 2008 to 31 December 2008).
• The laying of an order to temporarily amend the HIP Regulations until 31 December 2008. During this time the required leasehold information will only be a copy of the Lease. The other leasehold documents that are currently required will become authorised during this period.