HIP Index and Sale Statement
Please note: Home Information Packs (HIPs) were abolished by the UK government in May 2010. This article is retained for historical reference only and does not reflect current property buying or selling requirements. For current guidance on buying or selling a home, visit GOV.UK.
They may have caused some controversy and they have certainly had industry insiders bickering about the decision to introduce them but like it or not, Home Information Packs (HIPs) were introduced as a compulsory part of the house selling process in England and Wales in 2007, but were suspended in 2010 and formally abolished in 2012. They are no longer required for property sales. In short, you need to know what you have to do!

Who is Responsible for the HIP?

It is down to the seller to complete the Home Information Pack. At present as long as the pack is commissioned the house can be put on the market but HIPs had to be fully complete before marketing from June 1st 2008 until their suspension in 2010.

When HIPs were required, sellers had to provide buyers with completed packs that included a HIP Index, Sale Statement, Evidence of Title, Energy Performance Certificate and Standard Searches. Energy Performance Certificates remain mandatory for property sales. You can also choose to purchase a Home Condition Report at a cost of £250-£1000, at present though this is not compulsory.

Buyers should try not to worry about completing the HIP, after all one of the main reasons for their introduction was to make the process easier not more complicated! There's plenty of help on offer from estate agents and solicitors. Indeed the HIP Index and the Sale Statement are pretty simple to complete.

HIP Index

A Home Information Pack Index is simply a list of the documents contained within the pack. It acts as a checklist for the buyer and all involved in the process. It is also necessary as it enables the buyer to check all the required documents are included in the pack. The index should be changed as and when needed when more articles are added. If the buyer can't provide an index for any reason he or she must specify why. He or she must also be able to prove that they are in the process of providing an index.

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Sale Statement

A Sale Statement provides information about the property you are selling. The sale statement should not, however, be confused with the optional Home Condition Report. While the Home Condition Report features detailed information on the general condition of the property at the time of the sale, the sale statement simply provides basic information.

The sale statement should include the name of the seller and the property being sold, whether the property is freehold, leasehold or commonhold, whether the property is registered or unregistered and whether or not the property is being sold with vacant possession. The Land Registry can inform you of whether or not your house is registered and provide you with documents to prove so (needed for evidence of title.)