Home information packs info uk

Guide for Home Information Packs London

This is a summary of the documents required as part of a home pack, it should not be considered as an exhaustive list of particulars. You are advised to seek professional advice when dealing with legal matters relating to property transactions

Home Information Pack Sale Statement

This statement should provide some basic information about the property and site, which includes

1. The name of the seller and the address of the property being sold.
2. Whether the property is freehold, leasehold or common hold.
3. Whether the property is registered or un-registered.
4. Whether or not the property is being sold with vacant possession.

Standard Searches – the Home Information Pack must include:

1. The local land charges register relating to the property being sold. Also, a copy of the local authority searches.

2. Other documents held by the local authority which affect the property, such as planning decisions and road building proposals etc. These are referred to as local enquiries in the home information pack regulations.

3. The provision of drainage and water services to the property. The local water company or, a personal search company can be used for this purpose.

Evidence of Title – Documents to prove that the seller owns the property and has the right to sell it. If the property being sold is registered, specific documents are available through land registry for this case, and these must be included in the HIP.

These up-to-date official records provide details of who owns the land, and consist of:

1. Official copies of the individual register (consisting of a property register, proprietorship register and, possibly a charges register.)

2. An official copy of the title plan.

In the case of a commonhold interest , official copies of the register and title plan should be produced both for the unit and common parts. Land Registery has details of additional requirements for the sale of commonhold properties. For sales of unregistered land, the home pack (HIP) must include copies of a certificate of an official search of the index map (available through Land Registry), and those documents that the seller intends to rely on to provide evidence of title to the property, and therefore the right to sell it.

Further information on Leasehold property is available - The Leasehold Advisory Service provides free advice on the law affecting residential long leasehold property and Commonhold

Optional Documents

Home Condition Report

The Home Condition Report (HCR) is a voluntary part of the home pack; the seller may supply a detailed survey report provided by a chartered surveyor which will provide details of the physical condition of the property, outlining any defects that may be present, and such a report should be considered an accurate legal document both for buyer and seller.

Such a report is an important part of a HIP. Home sellers undertaking this type of survey (although voluntarily) have the opportunity to carry out repair work, or obtain a quote for repairs prior to marketing the property.

Buyers may use the HCR to make an informed decision before making an offer on the home they are considering buying, so they do not face any unexpected repair bills if they do purchase the house.

House buyers could also use this information to possibly renegotiate the asking price for a house that requires repairs.

Home use/ Fixtures & Fittings Forms

These forms let sellers give home buyers information on a range of matters including boundaries, notices, services, sharing with neighbours, planning permissions and other subjects which are of interest to the buyer.

The home seller should declare which fixtures and fittings and other contents of the house are included in the sale, or are excluded from the sale, or even which items are subject to negotiation.

Other documents – the sale of a property could be speeded up if they include non-standard searches in the home information pack where appropriate.


For example, it is standard practice to obtain a mining search in areas where coal mining has taken place. Home sellers in these areas will save time if they provide this search in the pack. Additional searches cover rights of way, ground stability and actual or potential environmental hazards (e.g. landfill sites, flooding or contaminated land).

Warranties & Guarantees.

Sellers may wish to include any building warranty or guarantee for work carried out on their house, or in the case of a newly built home an NHBC certificate.

Can I delay any HIP documents?

If certain documents are not available at the time the property goes to market i.e. searches, evidence of title for unregistered home and leasehold/commonhold information, sellers can begin marketing their home with a pack where the HIP contains an index, sale statement, evidence of title, EPC or Energy Performance Certificate only.

However the seller must be able to demonstrate that the missing items in the home information pack (HIP ) have been commissioned and are expected to arrive as soon as practicable – but no later than 28 days of the property being placed on the market.

What happens if a property is placed on the market without a home information pack (HIP )?

Currently, you may be liable for a fine of up to £200 if you place your property on the market without any home information pack in place. Enforcement is through trading standards officers.

Do I Need A HIP London?

Yes. Current legislation requires that every property (with some exemptions – see below), prior to being marketed requires a home pack (HIP).

Exemptions

A home pack is not required in the following cases:

Properties where there is no marketing (e.g. sale to member of your family)
Non-residential properties
Seasonal and holiday accommodation
Mixed sales (e.g. shop with flat)
Right to buy and similar sales
Sales of portfolios of properties
Properties not being sold with completely vacant possession
Unsafe properties, and properties to be demolished.
New build
Commercial property
Rented property controlled by landlord’s
Social Housing

Home Information Packs - How long does a Home Pack last for?

While the property is on the market, there is no need to update the Home Information Pack (ultimately, the market decides whether the documents remain acceptable and up to date).

If the sale of your property ceases and then starts again, you would normally be required to assemble a new HIP and to update those documents which are now out of date according to the requirements of the Home Information Packs. However, the seller can carry on using the same pack without the need to update any of the documents in the following circumstances:

Where marketing stopped because the seller accepted an offer and wants to restart marketing because the sale has fallen through, provided that remarketing starts within one year of the date when marketing first began or, if later, within 28 days of the sale falling through.

Where marketing has stopped for any other reason, the seller may remarket the property with the same pack provided that remarketing starts within one year of the date when marketing first began or, if later, 28 days of the date on which marketing stopped.

Home Information Packs HIPS & Estate Agents

Some estate agents can offer a complete HIP service for home sellers by compiling the home pack for the seller, however, some may not be able to provide a complete pack for two reasons.

1. Home Condition Report (HCR) London– This optional part of a HIP must contain a detailed report of the property’s condition with regard to exterior/interior construction of a building which will list any defects noted with respect of the property and the services connected to it. This type of home survey must be carried out by a qualified chartered surveyor for this purpose. A home inspector (or HI) can also supply this report but must be trained and have received DipHi accreditation.

2. Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) London– These certificates can only be issued by a qualified inspector (DipDEA) who has undergone training by an approved ABBE DEA assessment centre, which has been approved by a government accredited body for the issue of energy related Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) ratings. A Home Inspector or HI can also issue EPC’s.

Can I create my own HIP – DIY Hips?

Yes. All of the Home Information Pack documentation can be obtained by do-it-yourself methods.
An EPC is a requirement for the pack, this must be obtained from a qualified domestic energy assessor. To find a local DEA see Domestic Energy Assessors London [external link]

Energy Performance Certificates London

Every home that is marketed for sale must have an EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) which details a home’s energy performance. In order to issue a certificate it is necessary to conduct a survey of the property either by a qualified DEA (Domestic Energy Assessor) or a Home Inspector (HI).

An EPC provides a rating for your home in its present condition and also a rating for its potential if certain energy saving improvements are undertaken. The overall assessment is based on a sliding scale of A to F, where A is the highest level (i.e. most energy efficient) and G (less energy efficient). To simplify the rating scales a similar method to that used for home appliances (e.g. fridges, freezers etc) was adopted.

How long is an EPC valid for?

The certificate is valid for as long as the new homeowner remains in the property before moving again, or in the case of the same property coming back on the market again in the future, then another energy assessment would be required, or 10 years from the date of the original certificate’s inception date whichever is sooner.

Landlords and Tenants

Currently a landlord who rents a property to a tenant can voluntarily carry out an energy assessment for the production of an EPC on the property that they own.

From October 2008 it will be mandatory for an energy assessor to conduct a survey of the rented property for the production of an EPC.

Home Information Packs Hip London - We have researched throughout the Greater London area for Home Information Pack providers for every district.

Home Information Packs - Our free directory for home buyers and sellers contact information and direct links to HIP home seller services for each Borough.

Home Information Packs - You can select from a selection of Conveyancers, Property Solicitors and independent Estate Agents by using our simple fast search listings to find competitive low cost Home Information Packs in your local area. Using independent companies can help save you money, and brings benefits to you the Home Owner, with no middlemen order your HIP Direct with the company listings provided here. In addition, if you should decide to change your agent marketing your property, no problem - your HIP is portable since you bought it from an independent company. Avoid tie-ins buy a Home Information Pack from an independent source.

Home Information Packs - We at L-HIP, will be constantly updating this register of home seller pack providers across all areas of the City and surrounding boroughs, whether you live in North, South, East or West of the City in our comprehensive Directory.

Home Information Packs - As from the 14th December 2007 all homes will now be incorporated into the HIP scheme. Find a HIP fast, in our HIP Search by area listing above.

Home Information Packs in:

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