Home Information Packs: Q&A

What is the HIP for?
A home information pack, also called a home sellers pack, is a collection of information relating to your property to give to a potential buyer.

Most of the information in the home information pack would previously have been collected by the seller's solicitor during the course of the conveyance.

How does it help?
The home information pack should speed up the buying and selling process.

For sellers, providing a home information pack up front should reduce the likelihood of unwelcome surprises appearing later that could delay the sale.

For buyers a home information pack provides essential information, free of charge, about a property they are considering buying.

What must the home information pack include?
A home information pack has to contain legal documents including title deeds, and standard searches including local authority, drainage and water.

If the property is leasehold then the home information pack will have to contain a copy of the lease, information on service charges and building insurance details.

Your home information pack must also contain an Energy Performance Certificate.

What is the Energy Performance Certificate?
Specially trained energy assessors will check out your property, looking at its environmental impact and energy efficiency, and give it an energy rating from A (very good) to G (poor).

The most energy-efficient homes should have the lowest fuel bills.

What can I do to get a better rating?
The Certificate will include recommendations on ways to improve your property's energy efficiency, to save you money and help the environment. But simple measures to take in preparation for your home information pack could include installing thermostatically controlled radiator valves, a condenser boiler and low energy light bulbs, and improving your loft insulation.

What else can the home information pack include?
The pack can also include a Home Condition Report, containing information about the physical condition of a property. You can also include any guarantees and warranties for work carried out on the property.

Who will put it together?
You can buy a home information pack through an estate agent, solicitor or independently through a specialist home information pack provider.