The Property Viewer

The Home Information Pack (also known as the HIP) is compulsory for most homes on the market in England and Wales. From 6 April 2009, important changes will be made to HIPs. This means better information will be available from the first day a property is put on the market.

What does a HIP contain?

See an example

Sample Home Information Pack Opens new window The HIP is made up of required (compulsory) and authorised (optional) items.

There shouldn't be any marketing or advertising material in the pack, so make sure it contains official information only.

Listed below are all the compulsory documents that need to be included.

Compulsory documents
The following documents must be included in your HIP:

Freehold properties
Home Information Pack Index

the new Property Information Questionnaire (PIQ), from 6 April 2009

Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) or Predicted Energy Assessment (PEA)

sustainability information (required for newly built homes)

sale statement

evidence of title

standard searches (local authority and drainage and water)

Leasehold properties
all the compulsory documents above
a copy of the lease
For more detail on these documents follow the links below.


HIPs: compulsory items

HIPs: leasehold and commonhold properties