What makes a Home Information Pack?
The Home Information Pack (also known as the HIP) is compulsory for most homes on the market in England and Wales. The HIP must be available on the first day a property is marketed for sale.
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.
For Buyers
The Pack provides essential information about properties they are considering buying, free of charge.
The HIP will include the following:
Compulsory Documents
- Home Information Pack Index
Detailing the exact documents included in the HIP - Property Information Questionnaire (PIQ)
A questionnaire to be completed by the seller that provides useful information to potential buyers - Energy Performance Certificate
- Sustainability information (only required for newly built homes)
- Sale statement
A brief report summarising the property to be marketed. It is normally completed by the vendor and includes the following information:
> if the property is freehold, leasehold or commonhold
> Whether the property is registered
> The person selling the property
> Status of the property, for instance, is it vacant? - Evidence of title
Up to date official records of who owns the property - Standard searches
Includes local authority enquiries and a drainage and water search - Additional information for leasehold and commonhold sales, where appropriate.
Optional Documents
Including:- Home Condition Report - available from Equity Access Ltd
The Home Condition Report (HCR) acts as a "health check" for your home and it is similar to a surveyor's report - which many buyers already get, but only after they put an offer in.
A HCR is an objective report on the condition of the property that buyers, sellers and lenders will have a legal right to rely on. The Home Condition Report will have to be completed by a qualified, certificated Home Inspector who will carry out an on-site assessment. Sellers, buyers and lenders will all be able to rely on it as it classifies all the main elements of the property, roof, walls, foundations etc….. into ratings, 1 ,2, 3. These correspond to Good condition, In need of repair and Serious Defect which makes the report clear and concise yet sufficiently detailed. - Legal Summary
- Home Contents Form
Highlights any fixtures and fittings that may be included within the sale of the property - Home Use Form Discloses the general use of the property which includes any boundaries or access
- Non-standard searches
- Others including guarantees and warranties for work already carried out on homes
Call: 01902 765050