Home Information Packs (HIPs)

Under the Housing Act 2004, as of 1 June 2007 people selling their homes in England and Wales will have to complete a Home Information Pack before the property can be marketed for sale. The Government’s aim is to make the home buying and selling process more transparent for all involved especially home buyers and potential purchasers.

Home buyers will get information about a property much earlier on in the process, estate agents can use the Home Information Pack as a basis to set the for sale price and mortgage lenders can use the pack as part of their valuation and lending process.

It is anticipated that packs will cost anything from £600 to £1000 depending on the property but this may vary. Commercial Property or mixed commercial and residential will be exempt, and although it will be impossible to complete a Home Condition Report (see below) on off-plan properties, alternative information can be included in the Home Information Pack to compensate.

Home Information Pack Contents

An outline of the contents of the proposed Home Information Pack.

Introduction to Home Information Packs

Office of the Deputy Prime Minister

The ODPM outlines the government's plans for the implementation of the Home Information Pack.

Preparing for a Home Information Pack

If you are thinking of selling your home next year, plan ahead so that you can be ready to put your property on the market.