What is in a Home Information Pack?

There are two kinds of documents that a HIP may contain; those that are required (mandatory) for all properties and others that are authorised (optional), to be included at the seller’s discretion:

Mandatory

• Index of the documents contained within the pack
• Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
• Sales statement summarising the property details & terms of sale
• Evidence of title from the Land Registry
• Local Authority searches and a drainage and water search
• On leasehold properties, key information re the lease and the management company

The elements in RED will be required before a property can be marketed from 1st January 2008. The other elements are required within 28 days of marketing, but most will be available much quicker than this.

Optional

• Home Condition Report (HCR) – a new form of survey
• Any warranties or guarantees that exist for the property (i.e. new roof guarantee, NHBC certificate)
• Other legal documents which will be required for conveyancing, such as the Home Use Form (currently the Sellers Property Information Form or SPIF) and the Home Contents Form (currently the Fixtures and Fittings form)
• Other legal information which will be required for conveyancing (part of the current process) such as environmental, flood and ground stability (mining) searches.

Many people and estate agents will just go for the basic pack. However, there are several situations when an HCR should be considered and may well help the sale to proceed quicker and even achieve a better price – see the HCR and EPC section

The other optional legal documents, especially the Home Use form, could certainly help speed up the conveyancing process once an offer has been accepted – and they do not cost anything to include, just a bit of extra effort
                                   
Do all residential properties need a HIP?

Apart from the phased start by size of property, the vast majority do. There are a few exceptions, listed below.

• Properties where there is no marketing (e.g. sale to a family member)
• Non-residential properties
• Properties over 5 hectares where the land is used for horticulture or cultivation – basically farm-type properties, not houses with large grounds. 
• Seasonal and holiday accommodation 
• Mixed sales (e.g. shop with flat) 
• Right to buy purchases
• Sales of portfolios of properties 
• Properties not being sold with vacant possession
• Unsafe properties and properties to be demolished