A Home Information Pack, or HIP, is compulsory for most homes being put up for sale in England and Wales but it is not a complete substitute for the normal searches carried out by a residential conveyancing solicitor, however many lawyers will provide packs which conform to Law Society guidelines.

Since April 6 2009, the set of documents, which must be produced by the seller or their agent to provide key information to the buyer, has to be available from the first day the property comes onto the market.

Whoever is advertising the home for sale must supply a HIP to a potential purchaser free of charge but may ask for a copying and posting fee. A seller must arrange for completion of the pack before putting the property on the market but may add further documents at a later date if they are unavailable at first.

The HIP pack has both compulsory and optional data for all homes, both freehold and leasehold. In addition, a copy of the lease will be included with a leasehold pack. Information should not be more than three months old.

Essential items are:

• A Home Information Pack index
• Property Information Questionnaire (PIQ)
• Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) or Predicted Energy Assessment (PEA)
• Sustainability information – newly-built homes only
• Sale statement
• Evidence of title
• Standard searches (local authority and drainage and water)

The aim of the introduction of HIPs was to help reduce delays and extra expense for buyers and sellers; there are other optional documents which can also be included in the pack to further minimise potential problems with the transaction.

These are:

• Home condition report
• Legal summary
• Home use/contents form
• Other documents such as specialist searches

A HIP can be compiled by the property owner or representative, an estate agent, solicitor or specialist HIP provider. A responsible provider will be signed up to a HIP code of practice. The cost can vary so it pays to shop around.

Further information about HIP is available on the Government website.

HIPs and Healys residential conveyancing solicitors of London and Brighton

An experienced conveyancing solicitor such as Healys, of London and Brighton, can produce and supply a Home Information Pack for anyone wishing to sell their property.

This will conform to all the necessary legislation and include local authority and other searches, enabling the sale to proceed smoothly and quickly as soon as a buyer has agreed to the purchase. This applies to both freehold and leasehold transactions.

To find out about the fees of our cost-effective professional service supplying HIPs or for more information on residential conveyancing services, you can request a call-back via the website, email partner Kiri Kkoshi, telephone 020 7822 4148 or associate solicitor Paul Miller telephone 01273 669 115