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When homes are put on the market for sale, the government stipulates that from 6th April 2009 the HIP must be created BEFORE marketing commences.
Home Information Packs (HIPs) are designed to speed up the home buying process by making sure the seller has information about their property ready before starting to market the property. As a buyer the HIP provides important information about the property so an informed decision can be made.
The local searches may take up to 28 days to arrive in the pack, but the major components must be in place before any details of the property can be released to the public. The major components are: Title Deeds, Energy Performance Certificate and Sales Statement. A Property Information Questionnaire has been added from April 2009.
The final completed Pack may include the following documents:
An index of contents providing a checklist for sellers, buyers and estate agents.
Sale statement (summarising terms of sale) Statement-provides basic information about the property such as the address, tenure and property registration.
New Homes Warranty (where appropriate)
Evidence of title (for registered properties)
Energy Performance Certificate
Evidence of title (for unregistered properties)
Standard Searches including:
the local land charges register relating to the property being sold
other records held by the local authority such as planning decisions and road building proposals
the provision of drainage and water services to the property
Common hold information (where appropriate) including a copy of the commonhold community statement
Leasehold information (where appropriate) including a copy of the lease, information on service charges and insurance
Land Registry Title Documents & Plan
Property Information Questionnaire (from 6th April 2009)
Here is a brief overview of the optional documents that can be included in the HIP should the seller wish to include them:
Home Condition Report-contains information about the physical condition of the house
Legal summary of legal documents within the HIP
Home use/Home contents forms-information relating to property including boundaries, services, planning permissions, notices and other matters of interest to potential buyers.
Other documents and non-standard searches: searches covering rights of way, ground stability, environmental hazards (flooding and contaminated land), guarantees and warrantees.
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