Selling Land: Do I Need a HIP?
Miss Chistina Warren asks

I am selling 4 acres of agricultural nursery land with out any buildings, do I need to supply a HIP? If so what information must I include as I plan to sell it myself.

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 This article is retained for historical reference only and does not reflect current property buying or selling requirements.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.

Home Information Packs were introduced to make the process of selling houses more efficient. Too many times buyers were gazumped or sellers pulled out of the market at the last minute causing much distress for those involved.

The Government thought introducing HIPs would mean the number of people taking their house off the market at the last minute and the number of buyers pulling out of their deal too far down the line would fall.

However the packs have been subject to criticism ever since they were first introduced. Critics claim they add more red tape to an industry already bogged down with it and make things difficult for sellers. They also claim since Home Condition Reports - which document the condition of the property - were made voluntary rather than compulsory the HIPs have no real value.

Home Information Packs were abolished by the Coalition Government in 2010.

HIPs are no longer required when selling any property or land, as the requirement was abolished in 2010.

When HIPs were in effect, sellers had to complete a pack including title documents and other important information. You can also choose whether to pay extra for a Home Condition Report. While critics have claimed take up of these will be poor since they are only voluntary additions to the pack there are some benefits in purchasing them.

Home Condition Reports will inform the buyer of the condition of the property including any problems. This protects the buyer as he or she will not end up buying a property with problems that should have been rectified. it also protects the seller because he or she cannot be held accountable for problems that arise after the sale. If they aren’t documented in the HCR then it is not for the owner to rectify them.

Your situation may be slightly different. ask a question below ↓ and our editorial team will reply with our advice.