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Home Information Packs;

HIPs contain information about your house made available to prospective interested parties giving them the opportunity to make informed choices.

They are required by law - before you market your property - and contain compulsory documents with a further choice to include authorised documentation if required.

The HIP includes an index, sale statement evidence of title, the EPC, standard searches and from 6th April a property information questionnaire.

• Index - list the items contained within the HIP. If a document which should be included in the HIP is not available then the index must say this and what steps are being taken to provide the missing document.
• Property Information Questionnaire - this is completed by the seller and gives a checklist of information about a property.
• EPC/Predicted Energy Assessment - The EPC gives home owners and buyers or tenants information on the efficiency of the property. New Homes sold off plan before construction has started or is complete must have a Predicted Energy Assessment (PEA). This is replaced when the building is complete by the EPC.
• Sale Statement - provides basic information relating to a property such as;
  • the address of property being sold
  • the tenure of the property - freehold, leasehold or commonhold
  • whether the property is registered or unregistered
  • will the property be sold with vacant possession or with a sitting tenant
  • in what capacity is the proeprty being sold ie, selling on behalf of a deceased owner
• Evidence of Title - who owns the property?
  • Registered property - this documentation sourced from the Land Registry provides up to date official records of who owns the land and consists of;
    • official copies of the individual register
    • an official copy of the title plan
  • Unregistered land;
    • the HIP must include copies of a certificate of an official search of the index map and documentation from the seller proving evidence of the title to the property and the right to sell it.
• Standard Searches - the HIP must include;
  • a search of the local land charges in the form of a certificate, undertaken by the local council
  • a search of the records held by the local authority on matters of interest to buyers such a splanning applications, road building proposals
  • details of the provision of drainage and water services to a property
• Leasehold & Commonhold properties -
  • if a property is Leasehold the HIP must include a copy of the lease
  • Commonhold is a new kind of freehold ownership and allows leaseholders to dispense with their landlord and obtain a share of the freehold

HIP charges;

• Registered, Freehold property 249.00. The EPC is included. Preparation and delivery of HIP circa 7 to 10 days.

Costs correct as of 4th January 2010. Costs can change without prior notice. We do not charge VAT.