Frequently Asked Questions
What Are Home Information Packs (HIPs)?
Home Information Packs (HIPs) are designed to speed up the home buying process by making sure the seller has information about their property ready before starting to market the property for sale.
The requirement for HIPs was introduced under Part 5 of the Housing Act 2004 and places a legal responsibility on the person selling the property (the vendor) or their marketing agent to ensure all relevant documents are ready to present to prospective buyers on request. Full details of the documents required in a HIP are set out in Home Information Pack (No 2) Regulations 2007 and the Home Information Pack (Amendement) Regulations 2007.
BreezePack is the Home Information Pack provided by Breeze & Wyles Solicitors LLP who obtain all of the required documents.
What will a BreezePack contain?
The Pack will include all of the documents required by the HIP regulations the following documents, most of which are currently provided later in the sale process:
- An index of contents
- A sale statement (summarising terms of sale)
- Evidence of title (for registered properties)
- A copy of the Lease (for leasehold properties)
- An Energy Performance Certificate
The following documents are also compulsory, but can be added to the Pack later if there are delays in obtaining them:
- Evidence of title (for unregistered properties)
- Searches (i.e. local authority enquiries and a drainage and water search)
- Where appropriate, commonhold information (including a copy of the commonhold community statement)
Please click here to download a sample BreezePack (File Size: 2.8Mb)
Do I need a Home Information Pack?
All properties being placed on the market from 14th December 2007 require a Home Information Pack with the following exemptions.
- Properties in Scotland and Northern Ireland
- Private sales where the property is not offered on the open market (e.g. to a family member, neighbour, or friend)
- Non-residential property (i.e. shops or mixed commercial)
- Properties sold with sitting tenants and not available for owner occupation
- 'Right to Buy' sales by Local Authorities or other social landlords
- Homes held on a lease of less than 21 years
- New homes that were built under Regulation 17C of the The Building and Approved Inspectors (Amendment) Regulations 2006
A tenanted property can be marketed without a HIP. A part tenanted property (e.g. with a granny flat) cannot be marketed without a HIP!
Do you have to wait for all HIP components to be assembled before the property is marketed?
No, until 30 June 2008 a HIP must have been ordered before the property can be marketed. After that date certain parts of the HIP must be completed by the time the property is put up for sale.
How long will the complete HIP be valid for?
The HIP is valid while the home is continuously marketed for sale, and the Regulations allow for a period where the property might be taken off the market while, for example it is under offer or to allow a seller to change agents.
The main time-sensitive items in the Home Information Pack are the local searches. These are generally acknowledged to be valid for six months however many lenders will not accept the Personal searches used in many HIPs and therefore the buyer will normally undertake their own search in any event.
Are Home Information Packs needed at auctions?
Yes. People buying at auction need reliable information just as much as anyone else.