You can now get a copy of a Home Information Pack for any property you are interested in as soon as it comes on to the market.
In addition, the HIP now contains a new Property Information Questionnaire (PIQ). The PIQ contains useful information on structural changes / damage, flood risk, gas and electrical safety, parking arrangements and, for leasehold properties, additional information such as the current service charge. It ensures that common questions are answered at the beginning of the process and before you incur any costs, so you can avoid surprises later on – particularly helpful to first-time buyers with little experience of buying a home.
So whether you're thinking of viewing a property or making an offer, the HIP can help inform your decision and make the home buying process more transparent. As a buyer you can get a copy of the HIP free on any property you’re interested in (although you may be asked to pay copying and postage costs).
Always ensure you ask to see the HIP before you view a property.
