The Home Information Pack (also known as the HIP) is compulsory for most homes on the market in England and Wales. From 6 April 2009, important changes will be made to HIPs. This means better information will be available from the first day a property is put on the market.

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To view a Sample HIP Click Here

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• Home Information Pack Index
• Property Information Questionaire
  
• Energy Performance Certificate
• Sale statement
• Sustainability information for newly built homes
• Standard searches
• Evidence of title
• Additional information for Leasehold and Commonhold sales, where appropriate.

The Index lists the documents contained in the HIP and provides a checklist for sellers, buyers, estate agents and enforcement authorities.

If a document that must be included in the HIP is unavailable, the Index must say so, give the reason it is missing, and list what steps are being taken to get it.

The Index should be updated whenever documents are added or removed.

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Property Information Questionaire (PIQ)

The Property Information Questionnaire needs to be completed by the seller. It provides a helpful checklist of simple information about a property buyers need to know before making any decision on the property.

View a  PIQ Click Here

View a New Build PIQ Click Here

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Energy Performance Certificate/Predicted Energy Assessment

The Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) gives home owners, tenants and buyers information on the energy efficiency of their property.

New homes sold 'off-plan' will need to include a Predicted Energy Assessment (PEA). The PEA should be replaced by an EPC when construction of the property is complete.

View a sample EPC Click Here

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The sale statement provides some basic information about the property, including:

Sustainability information for newly built homes

The Code for Sustainable Homes measures the environmental impact of a new home against nine categories. The code requirements only apply to new homes where a local council has received a building notice, initial notice or full plans application after 1 May 2008. 

Newly built homes must have either:

• a certificate (or interim certificate) showing the sustainability of the home assessed against the standards under the Code for Sustainable Homes 
• a nil-rated certificate where the property has not been assessed against the Code

To view the code for Sustainable Homes Click Here

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A search of the local land charges register for the property being sold

This is carried out by a local council or personal search company and you’ll receive an official search certificate.

A search of the records held by the local authority on matters of interest to buyers

This includes planning decisions and road building proposals. These are referred to as local enquiries in the Home Information Pack Regulations and are carried out by a local authority or personal search company.

Details of the provision of drainage and water services to the property

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These documents prove who owns the property.

Registered property

If the property is registered, certain documents that are available on request from the Land Registry must be included in the HIP. These provide an up-to-date official record of who owns the land, and consist of:

• official copies of the individual register (made up of a property register, proprietorship register and, typically, a charges register)
• an official copy of the title plan

In the case of the sale of a commonhold interest, official copies of the register and title plan should be produced for both the unit and common parts.

Unregistered land

For sales of unregistered land, the HIP must include copies of a certificate of an official search of the index map (from the Land Registry). Also, it must have the documents that the seller intends to rely on to provide evidence of title to the property and the right to sell it.

For more details you can view the HIP 2007 Regulations Procedural Guidance document Click Here

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Home Information Packs (HIPs) for leasehold and commonhold properties must include the same compulsory documents as for freehold properties. However, they must also include some additional documents.

Compulsory documents

For leasehold properties you must provide all the standard compulsory documents for the HIP, and a copy of the lease.  If there’s a delay getting a copy of the lease, it can be added to the HIP after the property goes on the market, However, it has to be added within 28 days of the property going on the market.

Optional documents

Although it isn't compulsory, you can also include other leasehold documents such as:

• any regulations or rules that apply to the property that aren't mentioned in the lease and any proposed amendments
• statements or summaries of service charges covering the previous 36 months
• the most recent requests for payment of service charges, ground rent, insurance against damage for the building in which the property is situated
• details of personal injury insurance claimed because of the building or an event that took place in the building, during the 12-month period before marketing began
• the name and address of the current or proposed lessor, and details of any managing agent
• a summary of any works being undertaken or proposed that will affect the property

Commonhold properties

If a property is commonhold then you effectively own a share of the freehold of the land on which the building stands. You own this share together with other owners of flats in the building. You also share the responsibility with them for things like repairs and upkeep.

Compulsory documents

You must have the standard compulsory documents for the HIP. You also need to include an official copy of the individual register and title plan for the common parts and the commonhold community statement referred to in the register.

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Some documents in the Home Information Pack are optional. These include:

• Home Condition Report
• Legal summary
• Home use/contents forms
• Other documents

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Home Information Packs will contain some complex documents that can be difficult to understand. The optional summary of the legal content of the pack could therefore be very helpful to buyers, although it will not remove the need for buyers to take their own legal advice as well.

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Home contents forms

The Home contents form lets sellers give buyers information on a range of matters relating to the property.

It is usual for sellers to declare which fixtures and fittings and other contents of the property are:

• included in the sale
• excluded from the sale
• subject to negotiation

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