Home Information Packs (HIPs)

1. What is a HIP?

HIP stands for Home Information Pack and it is designed to give home buyers more infomation about the property they are about to buy BEFORE they go through the expense of a survey.

In the spirit of honesty and transparency we at House Revolution like HIP's (a lot). Before Home Information Pack's came along essential information only came to light at the point when a buyer had paid for a survey and instructed a solicitor. Nasty surprises meant wasted money on legal fees, searches and surveys. A Home Information Pack will give more information up front to help the buyer.

House Revolution works in partnership with fantastic honest companies to bring our own, low cost House Revolution Home Information Pack. Read on for more infomation.

2. What's in a HIP?

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

  1. Home Information Pack Index
  2. Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
  3. Sale statement
  4. Standard searches
  5. Evidence of title
  6. Additional information for leasehold and commonhold sales.

What is included in a Home Information Pack?

3. How much do they cost and where can I get one?

Home Information Pack's are paid for by the seller before the house is fully marketed. Costs vary from £99* to £399*.  House Revolution can offer you a HIP for only £99*  up front cost. For more information on the total costs, please contact us on:0845 017 6060

*plus VAT

HIP PROVIDERS KEY FEATURES FREEHOLD LEASEHOLD  
House Revolution HIP Low cost 99 plus VAT* 99 plus VAT* Order Now
HIPS2GO UK-wide coverage 299 plus VAT 399 plus VAT Order Now
HIPSTAR Large UK-wide company 299 plus VAT 384 plus VAT Order Now
HIPS&HCRS No frills UK-wide coverage 249 plus VAT 269 plus VAT Order Now

* £99 plus VAT up-front is for Freehold only and subject to use of HR's approved conveyancers. You must agree your conveyancing fees directly with them.

4. Do I need a Home Information Pack?

All properties marketed for sale from 14 December 2007 in England and Wales will need a Home Information Pack, which includes a home energy rating.

Currently, any property that was already on the market on the relevant commencement date (i.e. 1st August 2007 for slaes of homes with four or more bedrooms;10th September 2007 for those with three or more bedrooms and 14 December for all properties) does not need to have a Home Information Pack.

At this stage no date has been set when all properties that are on the market will be required to have a Home Information Pack.

5. Why do I need a Home Information Pack?

At the moment most of the essential information needed when buying or selling a house only comes to light at the point when an offer has been accepted. Buyers have been forced to often waste money on legal fees, searches and surveys on a property which they do not ultimately buy. A Home Information Pack will give all the information up front, at the time of marketing a property, so the buyer can make a decision about whether to buy or not based on real facts. Having local searches included in the packs will also speed up the process of the transaction.

The HIP has been introduced by the government in order to make the house selling and buying market easier and less costly. 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.

I need a HIP. Please tell me more



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