Home Information Packs (HIPS) became a legal requirement on 1st August 2007. Currently they are applicable to all properties with 3 or more bedrooms however it is the intention of the government to gradually make them compulsory for all properties in 2008.

What are the benefits?

For sellers - providing a Pack upfront should reduce the likelihood of any nasty surprises in the selling process that could delay the sale, as buyers will be able to make more informed decisions about purchasing their home.

For buyers - the Pack provides essential information about properties they are considering buying, free of charge.

What does a Pack contain?

The following compulsory documents must be included in a Home Information Pack.

Home Information Pack Index, Energy Performance Certificate, Sale statement,Standard searches, Evidence of title

Additional information for Leasehold properties where appropriate i.e. managing agents information and service charge accounts.

What do I need to do?

As your agent we would recommend providers to you but you can of course shop around or consult your solicitor. However, you must have commissioned a Home Information Pack by the time that the property is on the market. As soon as you have received the Energy Performance Certificate (a compulsory part of the Pack), you must produce the remainder of the pack and be able to provide potential buyers with a copy, or any document from it, on request. In most cases, this period is 14 days after the date of the request.

How long does a Pack last for?

While the property is on the market, there is no need to update the Home Information Pack (ultimately, the market decides whether the documents remain acceptable and up to date).
If the sale of your property stops and then starts again, you would normally be required to assemble a new Pack and to update those documents which are now out of date according to the requirements of the Home Information Pack Regulations. However, the seller can carry on using the same Pack without the need to update any of the documents in the following circumstances:

" Where marketing stopped because the seller accepted an offer and wants to restart marketing because the sale has fallen through, provided that remarketing starts within one year of the date when marketing first began or, if later, within 28 days of the sale falling through.

" Where marketing has stopped for any other reason, the seller may remarket the property with the same Pack provided that remarketing starts within one year of the date when marketing first began.

What about new-build properties?

Sellers of newly built homes will have to provide a Home Information Pack for potential buyers. Where a home is marketed "off-plan" before it is physically complete, it will need a Pack (subject to the Packs phased implementation) but it will not have a full Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). Instead the Pack will contain a Predicted Energy Assessment. This will look similar to the graphs from a full EPC and will be produced from the design plans for the building rather than a physical inspection.

We are here to help. If there is any part of the process which causes you concern, please call the office for further advice. Alternatively you can visit the government website at www.homeinformationpacks.gov.uk