1. The Home Information Pack (HIP) is compulsory for most homes on the market in England and Wales and your client can't market their property without one.
2. The HIP lets buyers see important information on the property at the start of the process, free of charge which means there's less chance of buyers becoming aware of any surprises at the end of the process.
3. Sellers don’t need a HIP for properties where there is no marketing, for example selling to a member of the family
4. Sellers don’t need a HIP for non-residential properties
5. Sellers don’t need a HIP for properties limited by law to use as holiday accommodation or occupation for less than 11 months per year
6. Sellers don’t need a HIP for mixed sales, for example a shop with flat
7. Sellers don’t need a HIP for sales of portfolios of properties, for example selling two properties together
8. Sellers don’t need a HIP for properties not being sold with completely vacant possession, for example with a sitting tenant
9. Sellers don’t need a HIP for unsafe properties and properties due to be demolished
10. Sellers don’t need a HIP for properties sold through the ‘Right to Buy’, ‘Right to Acquire’ and ‘Social HomeBuy’ home ownership schemes
11. From 6 April 2009, the HIP must be available on the first day a property is put on the market
12. The HIP is made up of required (compulsory) and authorised (optional) items.
13. The HIP must contain a Home Information Pack Index
14. The HIP must contain a Property Information Questionnaire (PIQ)
15. The HIP must contain an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) or Predicted Energy Assessment (PEA)
16. The HIP must contain sustainability information (required for newly built homes)
17. The HIP must contain a sale statement
18. The HIP must contain evidence of title
19. If the following documents are unavailable when marketing begins, they should be added to the HIP as soon as they are available:
- standard searches (local authority and drainage and water)
- a copy of the lease for leasehold properties
- commonhold documents, where appropriate
