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Key facts about HIPs

Home Information Packs have been introduced by the Government to help streamline the buying process. Here are a few of the main facts about Home Information Packs which will help you understand this new legislation.

Home Information Packs are now a legal requirement for anyone selling a residential property. To be compliant homeowners must be able to show that you have at least commissioned a HIP pack, and have paid or have made a commitment to pay for a pack. Once you have done this you can legally market your property even before you receive the complete report.

However this is likely to change and at present the Government have directed that from June 1st 2008 all residential property must have a HIP in place before marketing commences.

Home Information Packs for 4 bedroom or larger properties came into effect from 1st August 2007 with the phase in for 3 bedroom properties launched on the 10th September 2007 and for 2 and fewer bedrooms launched on the 14th December 2007.

If your property was put on the market before these trigger dates then as yet you are not required to commission a HIP. The much talked about Home Condition Report(HCR) is a voluntary report, although the Government may change this in the near future.

What is mandatory is the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). Your home will be assessed to review its performance in terms of energy used per square metre of floor area, energy efficiency based on fuel costs and the environmental impact based on Carbon Dioxide emissions. Your home will then be given a rating according to performance.

The required documents in a HIP are Index/Summary of Terms, Sale statement, Evidence of title, Standard Searches, Energy Performance Certificate, Copy of the Lease (if relevant).

The seller can choose to include other permitted information (e.g.additional leasehold information, a Home Condition Report, guarantees, or additional searches). However, at present, from June 1st 2008 the Government have directed that HIPS will have to include leasehold information such as service charge accounts, ground rent etc.

The above information was current at the time of preparation for this page but the Government have done a great deal of chopping and changing. Alterations or updates can be established from John Kingston Estate Agents.

John Kingston Estate Agents provide various options open to sellers with regard to the supply of a Home Information Pack and would be pleased to explain these at your convenience.