If you want to sell your home, you will need to get a Home Information Pack (HIP) before it can be placed on the market. The introduction of Home Information Packs is designed to make the home buying and selling process more consumer-friendly, quicker, and simpler to understand.

What will my HIP contain?

 

  • Compulsory Documents
  • Home Information Pack Index
  • Energy Performance Certificate
  • Sale Statement
  • Standard Searches
  • Evidence of title

 

1. Home Information Pack Index

The Index provides a checklist for sellers, buyers, estate agents and enforcement authorities. Where a document that must be included in the Pack is unavailable, the Index must say so, give the reason it is missing, and indicate what steps are being taken to obtain it. Where documents are added to or removed from the Pack at a later stage, the Index should be revised accordingly.

2. Energy Performance Certificate

Energy Performance Certificates tell you how energy efficient a home is on a scale of A – G. The most efficient a home is on a scale of A-G. The most efficient homes – which should have the lowest fuel bills – are in band A. The average property in the UK is in bands D-E for both ratings. Recommendations are included in the Certificate about ways to improve the home’s energy efficiency to save you money and help the environment. Sellers of newly built homes will have to provide a predicted Assessment of the energy efficiency of the property, but a full Energy Performance Certificate should be provided to the buyer when the home is completed.

3. Sale Statement

 

  • The sale statement should provide some basic information about the site, including:
  • The name of the seller and the address of the property being sold
  • Whether the property is freehold, leasehold or commonhold
  • Whether the property is registered or unregistered
  • Whether or not the property is being sold with vacant position

 

4. Standard Searches

 

  • The Home Information Pack must include: The local land charges register relating to the property being sold. If the search is carried out by the local authority, an official search certificate will be provided. Alternatively a personal search company can be used.
  • Other records held by the local authority on matters of interest to buyers, such as planning decisions and road building proposals. These are referred to as local enquiries in the Home Information Pack regulations. A local authority or a personal search company can be used.
  • The provisions of drainage and water services to the property. The local water company or a personal search company can be used.

 

5. Evidence of Title

These documents prove that the seller owns the property and therefore has the right to sell it. Where the property being sold is registered, certain documents that are available on request from the Land Registry must be included in the pack. These provide 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

The advantages of using HIPS Northwest

Quality, professional service.

We don’t use subcontractors. All of the information in each HIP is generated by our own Energy Assessors, Property Search Professionals, and Home Inspectors.

Competitive pricing

We offer a complete range of service levels, from our “no frills” standard service to our Prestige service for large/high value properties.

Range of Financing options

There are a number of finance options that can help you defer the cost of your HIP. Ask you estate agent for details.