The Home Information Pack (also known as the HIP) is a collection 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 compulsory for all homes on the market in England and Wales.

The benefit to the seller is that this process makes it easier for buyers to make an informed decision on purchasing their new home and reduces the risk of problems occurring later in the line of selling the property.

One of the aims of the HIP is also to raise awareness of the energy efficiency of our homes and tackle climate change by reducing CO_² emissions.

All new homes coming to market will require a HIP. All HIPs must contain a set of the following compulsory documents:

• Index
• Sales Statement
• Evidence of Title
• Set of standard searches 
• Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
• From 6th April 2009, you will also require a Property Information Questionnaire (PIQ), which provides a summary of information about the property.

If you are marketing the house before it is built, you will need a Predicted Energy Assessment (PEA). This should be replaced by a full EPC when the home is built.

There is also a range of optional information that can be included in the HIP.

For more information, please visit www.hipshoponline.co.uk

Hipshop is our own Home Information Pack brand. Click here for more information or go to www.hipshoponline.co.uk

Hipshop will provide support in procuring all of the compulsory components on your behalf at very competitive rates. The optional documents are usually in the possession of the developer but Hipshop can gain additional searches and we upload the warranty if this is being provided by LABC NHW.