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home information pack (hips) guide
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Home Information Packs (Hips) began to be phased in from August 1st 2007, however, from December 14th 2007 all properties marketed for sale in England and Wales required a Home Information Pack. This includes a home energy rating, an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), containing advice on how to cut carbon emissions and fuel bills and documents such as a sale statement, searches and evidence of title.
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If you're purchasing a property you should ask for a Home Information Pack, which contains the Energy Performance Certificate and the other compulsory documents.
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If you are a selling a property you need to ensure you have commissioned a pack by the time that you market your property.
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Providing this pack upfront to a potential purchaser should help to reduce the likelihood of any problems with the property, or its title, from delaying a sale. This is because a buyer will be able to make informed decisions about your home before they put in an offer. This pack is provided to the buyer free of charge and as such provides essential information about the property they are buying.
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It is compulsory for the pack to contain the following documentation:-
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An Index
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The index lists all the documents which the pack contains. It provides a useful checklist for those selling, buying, and for estate agents who may be marketing the home. If there is a document which should be included within the pack and it isn’t, the index must state this, provide the reason as to why it is missing and inform what steps are being taken to obtain it. This index will then be revised when any documentation is either added or removed from the pack.
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The Energy Performance Certificate
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This certificate tells you how energy efficient the home is on a scale between A and G. Any home in band A is most efficient and therefore should have the lowest fuel bills.
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Using the same scale, the certificate will inform of the impact the home has on the environment. The most efficient homes should have a lower impact through carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.
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It is typical for a property in the UK to be rated either D or E for both of these ratings. However, the Energy Performance Certificate will include recommendations on ways which a home can be modified to help improve a homes energy efficiency and have a lower impact against the environment.
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Standard Searches
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The pack must include the following with regards to searches:-
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The local land charges register which relates to the property being sold. When a search has been completed an official search certificate will be received. This search may be carried out by either a personal search company or by the local authority.
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Any other records which the local authority holds, which may be of interest to buyers of the property. This could be, for example, planning decisions or proposals to build a road nearby. They are referred to as local enquiries in the home information pack regulations. Once again, a personal search company or the local authority can be used for these.
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The provisions of drainage and water services to the property. The local water company or a personal search company may be used providing the search complies to the regulations of the home information pack.
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Sale Statement
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This Statement of Sale provides basic information about the property itself, such as:-
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- The full postal address of the property which is being marketed
- Whether the property is freehold, leasehold or commonhold
- If the property is registered or unregistered
- Whether the property is being sold with vacant possession
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In addition to these documents the pack may contain optional information. Please click here for further details.
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Some of the information featured here has been kindly reproduced from The Government Home Information Pack website. Please note that this information is Crown Copyrighted. For further information you can visit their site by clicking here (opens in new window).
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