Eaves Solicitors

Legal Updates

Our legal updates are for information purposes only and cannot be relied on for legal advice. You should always discuss your particular situation in detail with a legal advisor.

Home Information Packs

The Home Information Pack (HIP) is designed to speed up the buying and selling process. A HIP will provide potential buyers the information that they require up front avoiding delays for both buyer and seller.

When do I need a HIP?

You are required to have a HIP at the first point of marketing your property for sale. The person or business marketing the property for you must ensure that a HIP is available to all potential buyers.

There will be times when a HIP is not required, please contact the office for more information.

Please note that if your property is a new build the HIP will be slightly different. For more details and if you are unsure as to whether the property you are selling is classified as a new build please contact the office.

What is required in a HIP?

The required documents in a HIP are:

  • The index
  • Property Information Questionnaire (required from 6th April 2009)
  • Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) / Predicted Energy Assessment (PEA)
  • The sale statement
  • Evidence of title
  • Local Authority search
  • Water and drainage search

The EPC and PEA will contain information regarding the energy efficiency of a property, it also contains advice and guidance with regards to improving the energy efficiency of the property.

The required documents will vary depending on if your property is leasehold or freehold.

How long is my HIP valid for?

Most documents in the HIP must be no more than three months old before you market your property. The exception to this rule is the energy performance certificate which must be no more than three years old at the first point of marketing.

If your property is marketed continuously you are not legally required to update any of the HIP components. If you were to switch estate agents during the marketing process and provided that there was no break in marketing there is no requirement to update the HIP.

If there is a break in marketing your property e.g. the sale falls through, you may re-market your property using the original HIP as long as re-marketing starts within 28 days.

Who pays for the HIP?

At present it is the sellers responsibility to pay for the HIP.

Important Updates: 6th April 2009

  • As of the 6th April 2009 the basic HIP components must be available before the seller can begin to market their property (local searches can still be included in the HIP up to 28 days after marketing begins)
  • A Property Information Questionnaire (PIQ) will be a compulsory document from the 6th April 2009; this document must be completed by the seller and will provide information to potential buyers