Home Information Packs (HIPs) - no longer required
On 21 May 2010, Home Information Packs (HIPs) were abolished by the coalition government.
This means that homes marketed for sale on or after this date will no longer require a HIP.
(Energy Performance Certificates, however, are still required.)
HIPs were introduced by the previous government on 14 December 2007, and were intended to provide information relating to residential properties in England and Wales to allow prospective buyers to make an informed decision about purchasing.
A HIP pack had to be paid for by the seller before they could put their property on the market.
However, HIPs were widely regarded as being of no practical use, as conveyancing solicitors would, in 100% of cases, carry-out their own searches and not rely on the information provided in a HIP.
Energy Performance Certificate
The Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) gives home owners, tenants and buyers information on the energy efficiency of their property.
It gives the building a standard energy and carbon emission efficiency grade from 'A' to 'G' (where 'A' is best) and advice on cost effective improvements to improve the current rating.
