What does a Home Information Pack contain?

An HIP must contain the following compulsory documents: the Home Information Pack Index, Energy Performance Certificate, sale statement, standard searches, and evidence of title. There are, however, some optional documents such as a Home Condition Report, legal summary, and home use or contents forms that could be commissioned from home inspectors and other HIP providers.

The documents that make up an HIP will now be discussed in turn, in order to afford homeowners a good understanding of the new legislation before it comes into effect.

Essentially, a Home Information Pack Index is a list for home buyers, sellers, enforcement authorities and estate agents to check whether or not the HIP contains all the necessary documents. If a particular document is missing, the Index also serves to inform readers about what is being done to obtain it.

The Energy Performance Certificate is arguably the most important document in the Home Information Pack. It gives a good indication of how energy efficient a home is, as well as the effect it has on the environment. The certificate also explores ways to improve the energy efficiency of a home, and hence, to save money and protect the environment.

Prospective sellers need to commission such a certificate from an accredited energy assessor if they are to sell their property legally. The assessor conducts the home energy assessment by collecting and documenting relevant data. The certificate features information such as the date of construction, location, and applicable fittings.

The next document is the sale statement, which contains property information such as the address, name of seller, whether or not it is registered and occupied, and whether it is freehold, leasehold or commonhold property.

As the name implies, Evidence of Title is a document proving that the homeowner does, in fact, own the property and hence, has the right to sell. If the property in question is registered, official land registry documents should also be included. This includes official copies of the title plan, property register, proprietorship register and changes register.

Under standard searches, a Home Information Pack must contain a local land changes register, ‘local enquiries’ document as well as a water and drainage services report.

There are a few documents that only apply in the case of leasehold and commonhold properties. With leasehold properties, the HIP should include a copy of the lease, appropriate property rules and regulations, statements of service charges, insurance information and details of the current lessor. Commonhold properties, on the other hand, call for an official copy of the commonhold community statement, individual register and title plan for the common parts.

Among the optional inclusions is the Home Condition Report, which is intended as an accurate statement of the home and property’s physical condition. Home Condition Reports are compiled by qualified home inspectors.