A Home Information Pack consists of a collection of documents containing the Energy Performance Certificate, legal and other important information relating to a domestic property. A Home Information Pack must be provided from 1st August 2007 by all sellers of 4 bedroom and larger properties, in England and Wales before they are able to market their house for sale. The aim of the Home Information Pack is to improve the home buying and selling process, making it more open and efficient in an effort to avoid the 28% failure rate which currently costs consumers over £350m per year.

What should a Home Information Pack contain?

Prior to the implementation of HIPs, much of the information essential to a successful property transaction only comes to light after an offer has been made and accepted. This has meant that buyers are under-informed in their negotiations and risk wasting money on legal fees and searches.

The introduction of the Home Information Pack service will do much to streamline the house buying and selling processes and will cut the high failure rate of transactions to which the UK property market is prone.

The Home Information Pack Regulations 2007 set out provisions on the “required” and “authorised” content of the Home Information Pack. Required documents must be included in the Home Information Pack where appropriate and authorised documents may be included at the seller’s discretion.

Required documents that must be included in the Home Information Pack:

• A summary of the terms of sale
• Evidence of title
• Standard searches (i.e. local authority enquiries and a drainage and water search)
• An Energy Performance Certificate

Authorised Home Information Pack documents:

• A Home Condition Report (HCR)
• Guarantees and warranties
• Other searches

Home Information Packs for new build properties will not need a Home Condition Report if the property has an NHBC certificate or equivalent. Additional information on leasehold and commonhold properties will need to be provided in the Home Information Pack where appropriate.

First time buyers will receive Home Information Packs ‘for free’ making it easier and less expensive for them to get a foot on the property ladder.

Home Information Packs are not required when selling the following properties:

• Non-residential property;
• Mixed commercial and residential property;
• Sales of tenanted properties;

The introduction of the Home Information Pack process should drastically cut the time it takes to move from accepting an offer to the exchange of contracts.

Comprehensive details of the Home Information Pack scheme can be found at the Home Information Pack Site