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Since December 2009 a home information pack (HIP) will
be
required for all properties being sold in the UK.
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Home information packs (including energy performance
certificates) have been designed to help both buyers
and sellers achieve a much smoother
transaction.
The information contained in the pack should help prevent
any nasty surprises cropping up during the sale
process. |
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HIPs Compulsory
documents. |
There are a number of compulsory documents
which must be included in each pack, but anything else
which is relevant can also be submitted.
Home information pack index.
The Home information Pack index is essentially a
checklist of documents within the pack. If documents are
missing the index will contain a reason and any actions
being taken by the seller or agent relating to the
missing information.
Energy performance certificate (EPC).
The Energy Performance Certificate should provide
information relating to the energy efficiency of the
property being sold. The energy performance is rated on
a scale of A to G with A being the best and G being the
worst. In addition the Energy performance certificate
should provide a rating for the carbon impact on the
environment by emissions from the property.
Sale statement.
The sale statement should provide information relating
to the address of the property being sold, whether the
property is freehold or leasehold and whether the
property has a registered title.
The local land charges search & local enquiries.
This search should highlight any restrictions or
proposals affecting to the property. Neighbouring
planning applications, rights of way or new local road
schemes should be identified within these searches.
These searches can be carried out by the local authority
or a personal search agency.
Drainage search.
The drainage search relates to the provision and
location of drainage & water services to the property
and can be conducted by the local water authority or a
local search company.
Property title documents.
Documents relating to the ownership of the property must
be included in the HIP. For registered properties,
documents obtained from the land registry will be
available. These documents will include the official
copy of the property register, property proprietorship
register and title plan.
For unregistered properties or land the HIP must include
the official search certificate illustrating the fact
that the property is unregistered. In this case the
seller must also submit any supporting evidence that the
property is legally theirs to sell .
Home condition report or basic survey.
The Home condition report will be produced by a
qualified individual a should highlight any obvious
defects with the property being sold. The submission of
this report in the HIP should help to avoid any delays
in the transaction later as many problems can be
declared a rectified before the start of the process.
Legal summary.
A legal summary should help explain and simplify some of
the more complex dialogue normally contained within the
legal documents.
Home contents.
The Home contents document should contain information
relating to fixtures, fittings and other items included
in the sale.
Miscellaneous.
Other documents relating to the surrounding area,
environmental searches, warranties or guarantee are
extremely useful for the purchaser and could help avoid
delays.
HIPs for leasehold properties.
In addition to the standard information contained within
the pack, for leasehold properties information relating
to the lease, the services charges, ground rent,
insurance and any proposed or outstanding work affecting
the property must be provided.
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