Consumers
What happened to Home Information Packs (HIPs)?
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Home Information Packs (HIPs) used to be legally required as part of the marketing material when selling a house in England and Wales. The pack aimed to contain much of the information needed by a potential buyer. The pack included:
- an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
- terms of sale
- standard searches - such as local land charges, water and drainage searches
- replies to standard preliminary enquiries
- Property Information Questionnaire containing details on gas and electrical safety; flood risk; previous structural damage; and parking arrangments
- evidence of title
HIPs were abolished on 21st May 2010. However, every homeowner in the UK is still required to get an energy performance certificate (which used to be part of the pack) when selling their home. This certificate details how energy efficient a property is and needs to have at least been commissioned when putting a house on the market.
In Scotland home reports, the equivalent to HIPs, are still required and include a survey, energy report and a property questionnaire.
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