HIPs | DFA Law Northampton Solicitors News

Why do you need a HIP?

A HIP is a set of documents that provides the buyer with key information on the property and must be provided by the seller or the seller’s agent. It is a legal requirement to have a HIP and you can’t market your property without one.

The HIP lets buyers see important information about the property at the start of the process, free of charge. This means there is less chance of buyers becoming aware of any surprises at the end of the process. The HIP can help reduce delays and extra expense to the buyer and seller.

What does a HIP contain?

The HIP is made up of compulsory and optional items.

Compulsory documents

The following documents must be included in your HIP:

Freehold properties

• Home Information Pack Index
• the new Property Information Questionnaire (PIQ), from 6 April 2009 
• Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) or Predicted Energy Assessment (PEA)
• sustainability information (required for newly built homes)
• sale statement
• evidence of title
• standard searches (local authority and drainage and water)

Leasehold properties

• all the compulsory documents above
• a copy of the lease

Optional documents

Other documents can be included within your HIP, but these are optional. If they are included, it could help to speed up the sale and ensure that the process goes more smoothly. These include:

• Home Condition Report
• legal summary
• home use/contents form
• other documents like specialist searches (for example, the seller may choose to include a mining search in a mining area)

DFA Law provides HIPs packs at a very competitive price – contact our team for further details.