Information About Home Information Packs
Home Information Pack (HIP)
From the 14th December 2007 all residential properties being placed on the market for sale require a Home Information Pack (HIP). The HIP will be required at the point when the property is marked for sale.
If a HIP is not provided then an offence may be committed and punishable by way of a fine.
The purpose of the pack is to provide consumers with better information early in the process of buying and selling property. The Government legislation indicates the HIP's are being produced to improve the speed and certainty of transactions.
What is A Home Information Pack?
The Home Information Pack (HIP) contains important information intending to improve the sale and purchase of a property. Each pack contains the following:-
- An Energy Performance Certificate
- An Index of Contents
- A Sales Statement (summarising terms of sale)
- Evidence of Title
- Standard Searches
- Leasehold or Common hold documents were appropriate
- Home Condition Report (voluntary at present)
The pack will also contain other information that will be relevant to interested buyers such as planning permissions, building regulation control certificates and guarantees and warranties (if applicable)
Who Needs A HIP
Any Person marking for sale a vacant residential property, which will include:
- Private Sellers
- Estate Agents
- Lenders
- Corporate Landlords
- Builders and Developers
- Registered Social Landlords
Do All Properties Need A HIP?
Not at the moment. Only residential properties that are sold with vacant possession require HIP. There are a number of exceptions:-
- Non-residential premises, including any dwelling house which is being marked as being due to be converted to non-residential use.
- Seasonal and holiday accommodation - where planning permission or other regulations stipulate the same must be used and occupied as holiday accommodation.
- Mixed Sales - where the property comprises one or more non-residential use such as a shop with a flat above.
- Farms or other agricultural land where the total area of land being sold with a dwelling is 5 hectares or the most recent use of the land is or was primarily horticultural or cultivation; breeding or keeping of animals, livestock, or as grazing or woodlands.
- Portfolios - where more than one property is sold together and there is no intention to sell any of the properties separately.
- Properties to be demolished - where a property is being marked for sale as suitable for demolition and redevelopment and all planning permission and all other consents are available.
Who Will Supply The Home Information Pack?
Those dealing with the sale of the property will provide the Home Information Pack namely the estate agent or the solicitors.
We at Mack's Solicitors are able to provide you with a Home Information Pack and if you require any further details then please contact us.