Home Information Packs (HIPs) - Scotland

Home Information Packs (HIPs) - Scotland

The Home Report.

Scotland's executive will also be introducing a mandatory information pack from 1st December 2008 for property sales North of the Border, but the details will vary significantly from the England and Wales version and will be known as The Home Report..

The changes were originally recommended by the Housing Improvement Task Force (HITF)

The scheme was piloted on a volunatry basis from July 2004 but the potential marketing advantages did not prove to be a sufficient incentive for house sellers to take part.

Following the end of the pilot and the decision to move towards a compulsory system, the Purchasers Information Advisory Group (PIAG) was set up to advise on the development and implementation of the Single Survey and potentially a Purchasers Information Pack (PIP).

The Home Report is a pack of three documents: a Single Survey, an Energy Report and a Property Questionnaire

The Single Survey contains an assessment by a surveyor of the condition of the home, a valuation and an accessibility audit for people with particular needs.

The Energy Report contains an assessment by a surveyor of the energy efficiency of the home and its environmental impact. It also recommends ways to improve its energy efficiency. (click here for a sample single survey)

The Energy Report is the same document as the Energy Performance Certificate used in England and Wales as part of the compulsory Home Information Packs.

The Property Questionnaire is completed by the seller of the home. It contains additional information about the home, such as Council Tax banding and factoring costs that will be useful to buyers. (click here for a sample property questionnaire)