Home Information Pack

When you sell your property to a private buyer, you do not need a Home Information Pack to give to that buyer.

Selling to a "cash paid for property" buyer means that there's no need for you to go to the added expense of obtaining a HIP or "Home Information Pack" when selling your property.

According to the National Association of Estate Agents, the roll out of Hips will 'damage' the housing market by acting to reduce the number of properties available for sale.

By selling your property to a private buyer, you will save around £400 - £800 in selling fees.

What is a Home Information Pack?

• A Home Information Pack (HIP) - or sellers pack - is a file of documents that provides information about a residential property. Every property vendor using an estate agent to sell their home needs to have a Hips in place.
• HIPs have to include evidence of the property's ownership, a copy of the lease (where appropriate), standard searches (such as local authority, drainage and water), copies of the home warranty (for properties less than 10 years old) and an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC).
• Energy Performance Certificates will be issued by qualified inspectors, who will assess your property for its energy efficiency. Your property will then be given a grading from A to G - similar to the energy efficiency gradings awarded to fridges and washing machines.
• It is estimated that a standard HIP will cost in the region of £400 to £800. However, sellers also have the option of adding a Home Condition Report (HCR) to their HIP, which will add another £300 to the total cost. An HCR includes a basic structural survey of the property.

If you are unsure about the effects that the introduction of HIPS will have on selling your property, please look at the BBC website by clicking here.