The Home Information Pack (HIP)

The Home Information Pack Regulations 2006 set out provisions on the “required” and “authorised” content of the Pack. Required documents must be included in the pack where appropriate and authorised documents may be included at the seller’s discretion.

Home Information Packs (HIPs) including Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) are to be implemented on a phased basis. From 1 August, anyone wishing to sell a property with four or more bedrooms must ensure that a HIP is commissioned when marketing begins, with smaller properties being phased in as soon as sufficient energy assessors are qualified.

The required documents are:

• An index (i.e. a list of the contents of the Pack)
• A sale statement (summarising terms of sale)
• Evidence of title
• Standard searches (i.e. local authority enquiries and a drainage and water search)
• An Energy Performance Certificate
• Where appropriate, commonhold information (including a copy of the commonhold community statement)
• Where appropriate, leasehold information (including a copy of the lease, information on service charges and insurance)
• Where appropriate, a New Homes Warranty
• Where appropriate, a report on a home that is not physically complete

The authorised documents include:

• A Home Condition Report*
• Guarantees and warranties
• Other searches.

* The Regulations will be amended so that as from 1 August 2007 the Home Condition Report will be an authorised part of the Pack.

An authorised document means that sellers can use them to top up their Packs voluntarily to include additional material where they judge that to be of interest to prospective buyers. Although the Government has indicated it will make Home Condition Reports voluntary as from 1 August 2007, it strongly believes that these are likely to prove valuable to both sellers and buyers, and is working with the industry to ensure that there is active take up.