The Home Information Pack was in the making for over 10 years. The Labour Manifesto for the 1977 General Election promised “to make it easier for people buying and selling homes in England & Wales through a new seller’s pack”.

Legislation to introduce the HIP was first introduced in the Homes Bill in December 2000. Unfortunately that Bill was unable to complete it’s passage through Parliament before it was dissolved for the 2001 General Election. Fortunately the Labour Manifesto committed the government to continue the process.

A long period of consultation and debate ended in 2004 with the passing of the Housing Act 2004 which gave authority to the relevant minister to issue regulations creating the Home Information Pack procedure.

The documents contained in the HIP were originally specified in the Housing Act 2004. These included evidence of title, searches, Energy Performance Certificate and a Home Condition Report. Unfortunately, in 2006, the Government, under pressure from various parties, changed their mind and made the HCR optional. Many people feel that removal of the HCR has considerably watered down the potential of the HIP to improve house buying and selling. The Government reserve the right to make the HCR compulsory at some time in the future and have stated that they will do so if the voluntary uptake of HCRs is not sufficient to impact on the speed of house sales.

The HIP finally became a legal requirement for 4 bedroom domestic residential properties on 1st August, 2000. This was quickly followed by 3 bedroom properties on the 10th of September. This has now been extended to all applicable properties effective from December 14th, 2007. So, from December 14th, 2000 a HIP has to have been ordered before a property can legally be put up for sale. From June 1st, 2008 the HIP will have to have been produced before marketing can proceed.

There is more information about the reason for the HIP in our FAQ.