Guide to HIPs - Home Information Packs

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Guide to HIPs - Home Information Packs

Officially, the Government introduced HIPS (Home Information Packs) to improve the process of buying and selling a property. The start date was 1st August 2007 for properties with four bedrooms or more.

The new measures should have come into affect on the 1st June 2007, by which time all people wishing to sell a property would need a home information pack before putting their house up for sale.

However, the Government postponed the phasing in of Home Information Packs (including Energy Performance Certificates) until 1st August 2007.

From 14th December 2007, all homes for sale on the UK market, regardless of how big or small, must have a Home Information Pack. Home Information Packs collect all relevant information that enables the house buying process to be safer, easier, and faster. HIPS bring together evidence of title, and energy performance certificate, local searches and a sale statement. Home buyers have the right to see a pack, and home sellers are obligated to provide one.

A Home Information Pack effectively provides a homebuyer with the information he or she needs, right from the start, in a clear and digestible format.

Ruth Kelly, speaking on the issue, said that: “Home Information Packs will bring together all the information people need to buy and sell a home, to help them make informed decisions about what is probably the most expensive purchase of their lives. The Packs will especially help first time buyers as they receive the packs for free.”

What is the best way to navigate home information packs? What needs to be included? How much are they going to cost? This guide to HIPS provides the answers to all of these questions and more.

Guide to Home Information Packs (HIPs)
Home Information Packs: An introduction	More Information >>
Benefits of Home Information Packs	More Information >>
Home Condition Reports	More Information >>
Contents of the Home Information Pack	More Information >>
The consumer redress schemes	More Information >>
Dry run for HIPs	More Information >>

 

Home Information Packs – Buyer essentials

When buying a property, consumers should always ask to see the Home Information Pack of the property that they are interested in.

Buyers should be aware of what is contained in a HIP, and check whether the pack they are provided with is complete. If documents are missing, buyers should seek an explanation and wait for documents to be provided before proceeding.

Buyers should also check whether a Home Condition Report has been included. Buyers should give a copy of the Home Information Pack to their solicitor.

Home Information Pack legislation requires the seller to have commissioned a pack before the property is put on the market. The Home Information Pack provides essential information for buyers.

Home Information Pack Timeline

• Dec 2007: HIPs become compulsory for houses.
• Aug 2007: Phasing of HIPs begins.
• May 2007: Warning from Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors thats HIPs could have a detrimental effect on the housing sector.
• May 2007: Reports of widespread opposition to Home Information Packs, endorsed by celebrities within the sector.
• Nov 2006: Trial of HIPs in England and Wales, which were provided free.
• Nov 2004: Housing bill (including HIPs) becomes law, with the date for HIPs to become compulsory postponed until 2007.
• May 1997: Labour first propose the idea of Home Information Packs in their election manifesto.

Home Information Pack Mortgage News

• Mortgage holders told home information packs will reduce stress
• Mortgage holders told home information packs will cut costs
• Home information packs will be introduced on time, mortgage holders told
• Mortgage holders on alert after home information packs condemned
• Home information packs to encourage surveyors, mortgage sector told
• Home information packs may benefit first-time buyers, experts suggest
• Mortgage holders could benefit from home information packs changes, analyst hints
• Home information packs may affect people looking to find a remortgage, analyst hints