The government introduced Home Information Packs in the belief that they would speed up the sale process. As from 6 April 2009 the rules were simplified in that they now apply to all properties equally. As from that date a HIP must be completed for every property offered for sale before it is marketed, to be immediately available to potential purchasers upon request. A Home Information Pack is a legal requirement and its format is rigidly proscribed.
Bendall & Sons will be happy to arrange your Home Information Pack for you and, if required, recommend a qualified Home Inspector. The benefit of organising the HIP through a solicitor rather than your estate agent is that (a) the title information will be put together correctly saving delays later in the sale and (b) if you decide to change your agent during the marketing of the property your Home Information Pack goes with you.
The main points are summarized below:
The Home Information Pack must contain
an Index – listing all documents in the HIP with a note against any which are missing, the reason for its omission and the steps being taken to provide it. The Index must be updated whenever documents are added or removed.
a Property Information Questionnaire covering a diverse range of subjects, including: council tax banding, listing, utilities, communications and entertainment, heating and glazing, damp proofing, structural alterations and damage, flood risk, parking, rights of way, etc. Additional questions relate only to leasehold properties: ground rent, service charges, landlord’s details and so forth. There are two types of questionnaire, one of which relates solely to newly built properties and includes additional questions on approvals, certification, warranties, etc.
an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) or a Predicted Energy Assessment (PEA) in the case of new homes sold off-plan. These assess the energy efficiency of the property. The EPC must be produced by a qualified and accredited Domestic Energy Assessor or certificated Home Inspector. The PEA should be replaced by an EPC when construction of the property is complete.
sustainability information for newly built homes only and where permission was applied for after 1 May 2008, measuring the environmental impact of the property.
a statement of sale relating to property type, whether freehold, leasehold or commonhold, registered or unregistered, whether sold with vacant possession or tenanted, and the capacity of the seller, whether owner or owner’s representative.
evidence of title, i.e. a copy of your deeds.
standard searches (local authority and drainage and water). Please be aware that these have a limited life. They are valid for three months and can be extended for a further three months but in practice they are only as good as the day they are done. The purchaser’s solicitor will probably wish to undertake their own searches.
a copy of the lease for leasehold properties only.
commonhold documents where appropriate.
NB: the last three items may be inserted in the HIP up to 28 days after the property was first marketed, subject to the Index requirements as noted above.
Optional documents which may also be included are
a Home Condition Report, issued by a qualified Surveyor or Home Inspector
a legal summary
home use/contents forms
any other documents which may help speed up the sale, i.e. certificates or warranties.
More detailed information can be obtained from the government’s website together with a downloadable brochure in PDF format at www.homeinformationpacks.gov.uk/consumer
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