Home Information Packs
Since 14 December 2007 every home put on the market, no matter what size, must have a Home Information Pack. It brings together valuable information at the start of the process - such as a sale statement, local searches and evidence of title - which could save you money, time and stress. The Pack also includes an Energy Performance Certificate that contains advice on how to cut CO2 emissions and fuel bills.
HIPs provide key information needed by buyers and sellers at the very start of the home-buying process, making transactions more efficient and less likely to fall through between offer and exchange. HIP documents give consumers a clear, up front picture of what they are buying and selling.
Energy Performance Certificates and your home
An Energy Performance Certificate is part of a Home Information Pack.
The certificates are commissioned by the seller (or their agent) from an accredited Energy Assessor, who visits the property to collect the relevant data and creates the certificate.
This data includes the date, construction and location of the house and relevant fittings (heating systems, insulation or double glazing, for example).
What's in a Home Information Pack?
The Home Information Pack contains important information that buyers and sellers need to know.
Properties marketed for sale from 14 December 2007 in England and Wales need a Home Information Pack.
Benefits for sellers
For sellers, providing a Pack upfront should reduce the likelihood of any nasty surprises in the selling process that could delay the sale, as buyers will be able to make more informed decisions about purchasing their home.
Benefits for buyers
For buyers, the Pack provides essential information about properties they are considering buying, free of charge.
What does a Pack contain?
Compulsory items
The following compulsory documents must be included in a Home Information Pack.
- Home Information Pack Index
- Energy Performance Certificate
- Sale statement
- Standard searches
- Evidence of title
- Additional information for leasehold and commonhold sales, where appropriate.
However, up until 1 June 2008 it is possible to market a property without all of the compulsory documents.
Optional items
Some documents in the Home Information Pack are optional. These include:
- Home Condition Report - read about the benefits
- Legal summary
- Home use/contents forms
- Other documents
- Additional information for leasehold and commonhold sales, where appropriate.
