What are they?

Home Information Packs were conceived to speed up the house selling process. Effectively, most of the legal background work that would previously be undertaken by the buyer will now be done by the seller as the house goes on the market.

Who pays for the HIP?

The seller of the property is responsible for providing the HIP. This must be made available for inspection by potential buyers. The average cost of a HIP is between £300 - £500, depending on the provider. You do not necessarily have to pay for this up front as many providers are offering deferred payment schemes.

Do I need an estate agent to get a HIP?

NO. The HIP belongs to the property owner. You may find that estate agents are offering their own branded HIP packs - what you must also realise is that many estate agents are putting a mark-up on the HIP packs they are selling to their clients - sometimes running into hundreds of pounds.

Do I have to have a HIP?

Yes, it is compulsory for all properties in England and Wales being marketed for the first time on or after 14 Dec.07 to have a HIP. Those properties on the market prior to 14 Dec.07 and still on the market as of 1 Oct.08 now require an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) to be available for inspection by prospective buyers.

The team here at fuzzbo.com will of course keep you fully advised of any further developments with Home Information Packs.

What's in a HIP?

The following documents are ‘Required Content’ and must be included within a Home Information Pack:

• Index – should list all documents included in the pack, as well as any missing documents that are to be included later.
• Sale Statement – a brief statement of property being sold.
• Land Registry Title & Plan – up-to-date official record of who owns the land
• Energy Performance Certificate, rating the energy efficiency of a property & making recommendations for improvement
• Copy of the New Homes Warranty (applicable for new builds or converted properties)
• Local authority searches
• Drainage and water search
• Additional documents for Leasehold Properties (including a copy of the Lease and Landlords details)

The Home Condition Report ( survey ) of the property is no longer a requirement of the HIP, although you can commission a HCR at additional cost if you wish to.

How do I get a HIP?

Browse our list of HIP providers. Buying a HIP online is a simple and straight forward process and for the majority of properties this can be completed within 14 days. You may also find that some of the solicitors in your local area can provide you with a HIP.

The HIP is nothing to fear, and given the cost implication, all the more reason to think about selling your own property.