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A Home Information Pack provides essential information for buyers and sellers at the start of the home-buying process. It also ensures that information with regard to improving the energy efficiency of homes will be available every time a property is sold.
The benefit of a HIP for buyers is that by providing a Pack upfront, the likelihood of any nasty surprises that spook the purchaser during the selling process should be reduced.
Buyers should ask to see the HIP on the property they are interested in, and check that it is complete. If items are missing, there should be a satisfactory explanation and assurance that the missing information will be provided as soon as possible. The seller must have commissioned the HIP by the time the property was put on the market.
The HIP should contain:
If any of the documents are missing, the index should explain the reason why.
The HIP can also include other information that would be of interest to buyers - e.g. a Home Condition Report, other searches, and any guarantees and warranties on the property.
Only items that are set out in the regulations as either mandatory (compulsory) or non-mandatory (optional) may be included in the Pack. The regulations prohibit the inclusion of marketing or advertising material in the Pack.
The Pack might also contain a legal summary and answers to standard enquiries made of the sellers.
For more information see What is a HIP?
If you are interested in buying a property, then ask whoever is advertising it for sale, for the HIP. This is usually the estate agent, but could be another business or individual.
If it's an estate agent, then they must give you a copy of the HIP free of charge (although they may make a reasonable charge to cover the costs of copying and posting it). If the seller isn't an estate agent, you should be able to get the Hip directly from them.
You can see what the HIP has to contain in What is a HIP?
What does the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) say?
You need to check the energy efficiency rating given by the EPC. It should provide useful advice with regard to any improvements that can be made to cut fuel bills and boost the energy efficiency of the property.
What is a PIQ?
A Property Information Questionnaire (PIQ) is completed by the vendor to provide buyers with basic, useful information about the property and aims to reduce unnecessary delays caused by information which may come to light later in the process.
Is there a Home Condition Report (HCR) in the HIP?
These are currently not mandatory, so there may not be one in the Pack. If your seller has commissioned one, an HCR will contain useful information on the property's condition.
Is there a legal summary in the HIP?
Again, these are not mandatory, but some HIPS do come with a legal summary, providing the most important information from its legal contents.
Are the searches and, in the case of leasehold/commonhold properties, the necessary documents included?
These items are not always easy to obtain quickly, but the index should explain why any of the compulsory documents are missing.
If you are a buyer the HIP will cost you nothing. You will get a copy of a HIP free on any property you are interested in, but there may be a reasonable charge made for copying and posting the Hip.
The Energy Performance Certificate is a mandatory part of the HIP and so is paid for by the seller.
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