Home Information Packs are mandatory for all homes being sold in England and Wales, so make sure you've got it covered

What is it?

A pack containing containing title deeds, a home condition report and local authority report which is required if you are selling your house. However, you don’t need a Home Information Pack (HIP) for:

• Selling to member of your family.

• Non-residential properties.

• Seasonal and holiday accommodation.

• Mixed sales, for example a shop with a 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.

How will it help?

Its aim is to speed up the selling process, which currently takes up to eight weeks, and reduce the amount of failed transactions by bringing together all the essential information at the beginning of the process.

What has to go in it?

The following are compulsory elements of the pack;

Home Information Pack Index - lists the documents contained in the pack, providing a checklist for sellers, buyers, estate agents and enforcement authorities. If a document is not included in the pack it should be noted in the index with an explanation why and what actions are being taken to obtain it. If documents are added or removed the index should be amended.

Energy Performance Certificate - tell you how energy efficient a home is and its impact on the environment on a scale of A-G, with A being the most efficient and lowest impact. The average property in the UK is in bands D-E for both ratings. The Certificate includes ways to improve the home's energy efficiency, which will help the environment and save you money.

Predicted Energy assessment - sellers of newly-built homes will have to provide a predicted assessment of the property’s energy efficiency, with a full Energy Performance Certificate that meets the Code of Sustainable Homes, provided to the buyer on completion.

The Code for Sustainable Homes - it’s compulsory for every new home in England to have a rating against the Code for Sustainable Homes and for information on this rating to be provided to prospective purchasers through the HIP.

• Additional information for leasehold and commonhold sales, where appropriate.

• A HIP for a newly built home must have a certificate (or interim certificate) showing the rating that the home has received in respect of the Code for Sustainable Homes or a nil-rated certificate showing that the home has only been designed to meet current Building Regulations.

Sale statement - needs to include:

• Address of property being sold

• If the property is commonhold, leasehold or freehold

• Whether property is registered or unregistered

• If the property is being sold with vacant possession

Standard searches

• The local authority or a personal search company will carry out a search on the land charges relating to the property being sold. On completion you will receive an official search certificate.

• A personal search company or the local authority can compile records on matters of interest to buyers, like planning decisions and new road proposals.

• The local water company or personal search company researches the provision of drainage and water service to the property.

Evidence of title - Documents that prove the seller is the owner of the property and has the legal right to sell it. If the property being sold is registered, certain documents, available from the Land Registry, must be included, which consists of:

• Official copies of the individual register (made up of a property register, proprietorship register and, typically, a charges register)

• An official copy of the title plan

Useful Contacts

The official government Hip site: www.homeinformationpacks.gov.uk
Easy Home Information Packs: www.easyhomeinformationpacks.org.uk
Hip’s Direct: www.hipsdirect.com
Home Inspection Home: www.homeinspectionhome.co.uk
Hip Consultant: www.hip-consultant.co.uk

Words: Sarah Davies