A Guide to Home Information Packs (HIPs)

What are HIPs?

'HIPs' is an abbreviation for Home Information Packs.

HIPs have been introduced by the Government in order to provide information to buyers and their Solicitors upfront, thereby reducing the risk of sales falling through and speeding up the process of buying or selling a home.

For sellers, providing a HIP up front should reduce the likelihood of any surprises about the title to the property that could delay the sale. The HIP includes a local search which means that the seller will not have to wait for the buyer’s solicitor to have requested this once an offer is agreed; this may reduce the process by a couple of weeks.

For buyers, the pack provides essential information about properties they are considering buying and reduces the chance of unwelcome surprises later on in the process. The HIP is also paid for by the seller and therefore the buyer receives this information at no cost.

When do I need a HIP?

If you are considering selling your property and are advertising it to the general public you will now be required to have requested a HIP before being able to put your property on the market.

What do HIPs include?

Current legislation states that a HIP must include:-

• An Index (i.e. a list of the contents of the HIP)
• A Sale Statement (summarising the terms of sale)
• Evidence of title
• Standard Searches (i.e. local authority enquiries and a drainage and water search)
• An Energy Performance Certificate (this involves a Domestic Energy Assessor visiting your home to assess the Energy Efficiency of your home)
• A copy of the Lease (for Leasehold property only)

Where can I get a HIP?

HIPs are available from Estate Agents, Solicitors or Individual Pack Providers. Irwin Mitchell can provide a HIP for £349.99 Freehold or £374.99 Leasehold. Both these prices are INCLUSIVE OF VAT.

Additionally, if you instruct Irwin Mitchell to produce a HIP and subsequently to act on your sale, you will receive a £25 discount from your sale fees. Please contact Jamie Wilcock on 0114 274 4561 for further details.

Please note that it is the sellers responsibility to pay for the HIP and payment will be required upfront.