Home Information Packs

Home information packs were introduced in the UK in August 2007, under the Housing Act 2004. It was a legal requirement for homeowners within the England and Wales to provide a home information pack before a property could be put on the open market.

Home Information Packs contained a set of documents including an Energy Performance Certificate, title documents, local authority searches, guarantees and property information questionnaire. These documents provided home buyers with key information on a property. Home Information Packs enabled home buyers to view important information on a property, cost free. The documents contained within a Home Information Pack were either compulsory or optional with no marketing or advertising allowed.

Home Information Packs could have been produced by the property seller or an estate agent, solicitor or Home Information Packs Provider, though providers must have been registered under the relevant codes of practice.

Home Information Packs decreased the chance of home buyers being surprised by undisclosed information.

The legal requirement for Home Information Packs was suspended as of 21 may 2010 and eventually they will be completely abolished once the government change legislation. Energy Performance Certificates, however, still remain a requirement for any properties that are to be sold, rented or constructed.