January 2008 Home Information Packs
If you’re buying a home, make sure you see the Home Information Pack. Since 14 December 2007 every home that is put on the market for sale, no matter how many bedrooms, must have a Home Information Pack. It includes valuable information at the start of the process, including a sale statement, local searches and evidence of title etc, which could save you money, time and stress. The Pack also includes an Energy Performance Certificate that contains advice on how to cut CO2 emissions and fuel bills.
HIPs provide key information needed by buyers and sellers at the very start of the home-buying process, making transactions more efficient and less likely to fall through between offer and exchange. HIP documents give consumers a clear, up front picture of what they are buying and selling.
If you are buying a home please:
-Always ask to see the Home Information Pack as you have a right to see it and by doing so you may save yourself time and money!
-Check that the pack is complete. If there are any compulsory documents missing make sure the agent gives you a satisfactory explanation as to why, and when the missing items will be provided.
-Find out if the HIP includes a Home Condition Report.
-If you are wishing to purchase a property, send a copy of the HIP to your solicitor to save time.
Compulsory Items
The following compulsory documents must be included in a Home Information Pack.
-Home Information Pack Index
-Energy Performance Certificate
-Sale statement
-Standard searches
-Evidence of title
-Additional information for leasehold and common hold sales, where appropriate.
However, up until 1 June 2008 it is possible to market a property without all of the compulsory documents as long as the HIP has been commissioned. After this date a HIP including an EPC must be available from the time the property is first placed on the market.
We recommend that you visit the government’s website at:
www.homeinformationpacks.gov.uk
where any further information you require, can be found.
