Here are some details about our Home Information Pack (HIP) service, including a brief guide to buyers and sellers on items that they may want to look for or include in a HIP.
What is a Home Information Pack?
A Home Information Pack (HIP) is a set of documents providing important information about a property. It is a legal requirement for anyone wishing to sell their home or any other residential property to have a HIP ordered before the property can be marketed.
How will Home Information Packs help the current home selling process?
HIPs will improve the process by providing more information up front to allow buyers to have a greater knowledge about a property before they place an offer.
What is in a Home Information Pack?
HIPs will include the key documents that are normally required when homes are bought and sold.
A HIP will consist of the following items:
- Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) to show the energy rating of a property
- Legal documents containing copies of the title to the property, preliminary enquiries and a list of items at the property which will be included in the sale
- Searches including a search of the local authority and a drainage and water search
- A sale statement (summarising the terms of the sale). This will include the name of the seller and the address of the property being sold
A seller may wish to include a Home Condition Report (HCR), however this is not compulsory.
What is an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)?
An Energy Performance Certificate is similar to the certificates that are provided with appliances such as refrigerators and washing machines.
It’s purpose is to record how energy-efficient a property is as a building. The certificate shows the rating of the property from A to G, where A is very efficient and G is very inefficient. The most efficient homes, which should have the lowest running costs, are in band A. The certificate will also make recommendations for cost-effective improvements that can be made to help cut fuel bills and carbon emissions.
How can I get my Home Information Pack?
When you instruct us to sell your property, we will immediately arrange for a HIP to be produced for you, to allow us to start marketing your property as soon as possible.
Is there an upfront cost for my Home Information Pack?
No, we will produce a HIP for you without any up front costs, however, once your property sale completes, you will pay us for the HIP along with our Estate Agency fee.
Alternatively, if you decide to withdraw your property from the market you will still have to pay us for the HIP upon withdrawal. You will be able to use the HIP if you decide to remarket your property within one year of the first point of marketing.
How will buyers obtain my Home Information Pack?
They can view a HIP by contacting their local branch.
