HIPs and EPCs

What is a Home Information Pack

The Home Information Pack or HIP was introduced as a provision of the Housing Act 2004. The main premise of the HIP is to reduce the number of failed residential property transactions by providing valuable information to the prospective buyer on local planning, drainage and water, ownership and environmental considerations before.

What is included in the pack?

The Home Information Pack consists of the following documentation:

• Local Authority Search
• Drainage and Water Search
• Property Information Questionnaire PIQ
• Energy Performance Certificate
• Land Registry Title Documents
• Additional Leasehold or Commonhold documentation

What is an Energy Performance Certificate?

An Energy Performance Certificate or EPC is the product of an energy survey that is carried out by a qualified Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA). The certificate provides two separate ratings to indicate the overall efficiency of the property and the associated CO2 impact. The certificate also includes instructions on how to improve the overall energy efficiency of the property.

If you are a vendor thinking of selling your property, then you will need a HIP. The Estate Agent you choose to sell your property will need to be in receipt of a completed HIP before then can commence marketing.

Equally, if you are a Landlord who has a property to let, you will need an EPC before you can market your property. The good news for Landlords is that EPCs are valid for 10 years, regardless of how many times you re-let your property.

For more advice on HIPS and EPCs or if you would like us to arrange either of these, then please contact of our offices.