It is over a year now since HIP’s were introduced and people are still confused as to exactly what is required of a HIP’s report. There are variations depending on who carries out the work.

However, the scheme that was eventually launched had been watered down to quite a large extent. Research among some mortgage brokers raised issues with the timing of the launch and also the content of HIPS but mainly because it seemed unlikely sufficient home inspectors would be trained in time for the launch date of June 1 st 2007.

The main change to Home Information Packs was turning the survey into a ‘green’ initiative on energy saving. This is not a bad thing but was not the original intention of the HIP’s, which was to speed-up the whole process of buying and selling. Now the report will give the energy ‘rating’ of the property to potential buyers as well as Home Condition Report if the seller decides to include it.

The HIP report must include:

• List the contents of the HIP
• A summary of the terms of the sale
• Proof of ownership
• Standard L.A. searches
• Energy Efficiency report
• Common information

The items that are optional include:

• A Home Condition survey
• Additional leasehold information (if appropriate)
• Warranties and guarantees
• Other relevant searches (to the area)