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The Home Information Pack
Home Information Packs were launched in September 2007. Anyone putting a home up for sale will need to have a pack and make it available to prospective buyers.
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Home Information Packs provide important information to prospective purchasers at the very start of their interest in a new home, giving increased transparency on key issues and meaning any offer to purchase is based on an informed decision.
A Home Information Pack is likely to contain:- |
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- Terms of sale
- Evidence of title
- Copies of any planning, listed building and building regulations consents and approvals
- Copies of warranties and guarantees, for new properties
- Guarantees for any work carried out on the property
- Local search replies
- An energy performance certificate
- A Home Condition Report will be provided on a voluntary basis and included as an 'authorised' document.
Additionally, for leasehold properties:
- A copy of the lease
- Most recent service charge accounts and receipts
- Building insurance policy details and payment receipts
- Regulations made by the landlord or management company
- Memorandum and articles of the landlord or management company
Are there any exclusions from the Home Information Pack regulations?
Home Information Packs will not be required on the following:-
- Properties in Scotland and Northern Ireland
- Private sales where the property is not offered on the open market (e.g. to a family member, neighbour, or friend)
- Non-residential property or where homes are in mixed use with commercial property
- Properties sold with sitting tenants and not available for owner occupation
- Portfolios of residential property
- 'Right to Buy' sales by Local Authorities or other social landlords
- Homes held on a lease of less than 21 years
What is a Home Condition Report?
The Home Condition Report element of the Home Information Pack is a completely new report format which has been developed by the Government with the help of organisations such as the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. It will cover the general condition of the property bearing in mind its age, character and location and highlight any defects requiring action.
The Home Condition Report will be a 'mid range' survey similar in detail to the current Homebuyers' Survey and Valuation Report, but excluding the valuation.
What is an Energy Performance Certificate?
The government is committed to comply with EU Directive 2002/91/EC which aims to promote improvements in the energy performance of buildings.
The EU directive requires an energy performance certificate for all dwellings at the time of sale.
The certificate will give prospective purchasers an easy to read guide to the likely energy costs of occupying the property in a similar way that current 'white goods' have an efficiency label |
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