Home Information Packs (HIPS)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

When will a HIP be compulsory?
After 10 September 2007 all properties with 3 bedrooms and more will require a Home Information Pack. We understand that eventually the Government will apply it to all properties.

What is a Home Information Pack?
A Home Information Pack is a set of documents which, as a legal requirement, must be provided by a seller, which will give a potential buyer key information about the property for sale.

How much will a HIP cost?
We will include the basic HIP in our fees, although a withdrawal fee may apply. This does not include the voluntary Home Condition Report, or in the case of leasehold properties, any charges levied by managing agents for the supply of information which will need to be provided.

How soon after commissioning a HIP will it be ready for buyers to view?
We estimate that it will usually take up to 14 days for freehold properties or up to 28 days for leasehold properties.

How and when will buyers be able to view a HIP?
Buyers will be able to view the information by email or online, with the option of viewing a paper copy at our office.

How reliable is the information in a HIP?
The documents in the HIP are, with the exception of the EPC, legal documents that can be relied upon. However, a buyer’s solicitor may recommend to his or her client that various elements, such as the local search, may need updating at the point of sale. The EPC is compiled by a qualified and accredited Domestic Energy Assessor.

If a sale is agreed on my property before the HIP is ready, will it delay the sale?
Not at present. The conveyance of the property can proceed, irrespective of whether the HIP has been produced or not. However, we will always commission a HIP where required so we can forward the information onto the buyer, or their legal representative.

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