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Home Information Packs
What you need to know before you buy
Home Information Packs (HIPs) contain information that you need to know before you buy a residential property. They only apply to properties in England and Wales.
It’s the seller’s job to arrange and pay for the HIP. In fact, they must commission a HIP before they put their property on the market. There are very few exceptions to this rule.
Look inside a HIP and you’ll find information on a number of important matters from planning and road building decisions, to proof that the seller owns the property.
How to get a HIP
To get a copy of the HIP, simply ask whoever is advertising the property – typically an estate agent.
They need to give you the HIP free of charge. However, estate agents can make a reasonable charge to cover copying and postage.
Selling a home?
If you’re also selling a residential property in England or Wales, you’ll need to commission a HIP for potential buyers.
To help you sort out your HIP we are happy to introduce you to Legal Marketing Services Ltd (LMS), one of the largest providers of HIPs in the UK. A standard HIP usually takes around two weeks to put together.
Call LMS on 0845 075 7319. Lines are open: Mon to Fri 8.30am to 6.30pm and Sat 10am – 4pm.
Essential information
By law, your HIP must contain the following information:
| HIP section | Description |
|---|---|
| Energy Performance Certificate | Tells the buyer how energy efficient the property is, and sets out the property’s environmental impact. It may also contain hints and tips on how to improve the property’s rating. |
| Sale statement | Basic information about the property, including the address – and whether it is freehold, leasehold or commonhold. |
| Standard searches | Details of the local land charges register relating to the property, as well as water and drainage searches. There are also other records held by the local authority, such as planning and road building decisions. |
| Evidence of title | This proves that you own the property – which means that you have the right to sell it. |
| Leasehold or commonhold documents | These are only required for leasehold or commonhold properties. |
| Index of contents | A list of all the documents in the pack, and an explanation of why any are missing. |
Optional information
Some HIPs may also contain what are known as 'authorised' documents. These are optional:
| HIP section | Description |
|---|---|
| Home Condition Report | This contains information about the physical condition of the property. |
| Legal summary | A summary of the legal content of the HIP. Not available when arranging your HIP through RBS. |
| Home use/content forms | Information on boundaries, planning permissions and similar subjects. Not available when arranging your HIP through RBS. |
| Other documents | This section could include additional searches, guarantees and warranties for work that has been carried out on the property. |
- How do I get hold of the HIP?
- Can I rely on the information?
- Do I still need a survey?
- Do I still need a valuation?
- How can I find out more?
How do I get hold of the HIP?
You should contact either the property seller or the advertising estate agent. They must provide you with access to a HIP free of charge.
However, estate agents can make a reasonable charge to cover copying and postage.
Back to topCan I rely on the information?
Yes. Energy Performance Certificates, Home Condition Reports and searches are compiled by accredited companies.
However, if documents such as the legal searches are more than three months old, then your solicitor, conveyancer or mortgage provider may ask you to obtain your own updated versions. The Energy Performance Certificate cannot be more than one year old.
Back to topDo I still need a survey?
Perhaps. As the Home Condition Report is an optional part of the HIP, the seller may not have provided one.
You should also know that the Home Condition Report doesn’t give you the same level of information that you’d get from a full structural survey.
It could be wise to obtain a full survey – whether a Home Condition Report is provided or not.
Back to topDo I still need a valuation?
Yes - the HIP does not contain a valuation. In most cases, your mortgage lender will arrange this for you.
Back to topHow can I find out more?
The UK government has produced a website with useful information on HIPs.
Home Information Packs are provided to Royal Bank of Scotland customers by Legal Marketing Services Ltd (LMS), a third party provider which is not part of the Royal Bank of Scotland Group. RBS receive a fee from LMS for any HIPs arranged as a result of RBS’s referral. By contacting LMS via a referral from RBS, you are consenting to your data being used for the purposes of obtaining a Home Information Pack or gaining details about RBS mortgage products. LMS are subject to the terms of the Data Protection Act.
Calls may be recorded.