Is a HIP different to a survey or home buyers report?

Is a HIP different to a survey or home buyers report?

Mike Ockenden (Director General) gives expert video advice on: What do I need to do to obtain a HIP for my new home?; Will I have to pay for a pack?; What will a pack tell me? and more...

A HIP is very different to a surveyor's or home buyers' report and indeed a lender's valuation, and I think there's a lot of confusion around this. Typically, at the present time, 80% of people rely on the lender's valuation when they're buying a house. That tells you absolutely nothing about the condition of the property. Only 18% or so bother to go and get a home buyers' report from a surveyor. And only about 2% get a structural survey. It is why we're so strong on suggesting that home condition reports should be a mandatory part of a HIP. The idea that we buy houses blindly without knowing the condition of the house is crazy.