Home Information Packs (HIPs)

GTC Law can now provide you a competitively-priced Home Information Pack (HIP).  A solicitor-produced HIP is a better investment than an Estate Agent HIP particularly in cases where you might want to change agents.

Ordering is easy and convenient. 

Call our HIP consultants on 020 8509 6836 with your credit or debit card details and information on the following:

    * Property address, including full postcode
    * Registered owner details
    * Number of bedrooms
    * Tenure - freehold/leasehold
    * Land Registry status - Registered or Unregistered

You can also place your order by emailing the above property details to us at HIPS@gtclaw.co.uk or complete the online enquiry form below.

A Short Guide to Home Information Packs


All residential properties for sale now require a Home Information Pack (HIP).  Many councils do not have the resources to supply copies of planning searches quickly. Consequently, sellers will be allowed to market their homes on condition the searches are included within a 28-day period of grace, although the rules governing this alter from 9th April 2009 (see UPDATE below).  
 
The few exceptions where a HIP would not be required are as follows:  
  1. Rented accommodation which is not offered with vacant possession
  2. Mixed use property (part shop with flat above, for example)
  3. Properties over 5 hectares (about 12.4 acres) – ie farm-type properties but not houses with large grounds.
 
Failure to comply with the regulations and purchase a HIP will attract a fine of £200, which would normally fall on the estate agent but, in the case of a private sale, would hit the seller. 

 

A Home Seller Pack Must Contain:

 

  • A 'sale statement' covering the name of the seller, the property's address, whether it is freehold, leasehold or commonhold; and whether or not it is being sold with vacant possession.
  • Standard local authority searches covering planning decisions and road building proposals, plus information on drainage and water connections.
  • An official copy of the title deeds and any outstanding mortgages or charges against the property.
  • A copy of the lease where appropriate. It may also contain:
  • A home condition report or basic structural survey.
  • A list of fixtures and fittings included in the sale.
  • Other general information such as maintenance of boundary fences.
An energy performance certificate involves a trained official visiting your home detailing the date the house was built, the method of construction and its location, heating systems, insulation, double glazing and any other relevant fittings. The assessor will give the property an energy efficiency rating from A to G, which is similar to the scheme used for household appliances such a fridge. ‘A’ is the most efficient.  
 

Although there is no requirement to carry out work to improve a home's energy rating, the Government hopes the certificates will encourage owners to do so.

UPDATE December 2008

 

While the government has underlined its commitment to the Home Information Pack (HIP) by extending the documentation that must now be included, it has delayed several key changes that were due to come into force after 31st December 2008.

The date when a HIP must be in place before a property can be marketed has been delayed until 6th April 2009.  In effect this means that from 6th April 2009 a property must have a Home Information Pack BEFORE it can be marketed rather than providing one within the current grace period of 28 days.

In addition, a new document called a Property Information Questionnaire will be introduced from April 2009 to provide prospective buyers additional information on issues such as flood risk and access.  GTC Law has been requesting sellers complete a Property Information Questionnaire for a number of years as a means of providing additional information to buyers.

To order a Home Information Pack call us on 020 8509 6836 or complete our Online Form