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Home Information Packs

The Home Information Pack will provide information regarding the sale or purchase of your property. The information will be available prior to any offers being agreed.

The Home Information Pack contains important information that buyers and sellers need to know.

Home Information Packs including Energy Performance Certificates have been implemented on a phased basis which started on 1 August 2007. Packs are now required for the sale of all property which comes onto the market.

For sellers, providing a Pack upfront should reduce the likelihood of any nasty surprises in the selling process that could delay the sale, as buyers will be able to make more informed decisions about purchasing their home.

For buyers, the Pack provides essential information about properties they are considering buying, free of charge.

Who Needs an Information Pack?

Home Information Packs are paid for by the seller of the property. They have been implemented on a phased basis as follows:

Home Information Packs are now compulsory for all residential properties that have come on the market after December 14th 2007.

What Does a HIP Contain?

Sale Statement

The sale statement will detail the name of the person who owns the property, whether the title is registered with HM Land Registry and whether it is a freehold or leasehold property.

Energy Performance Certificate

The EPC will show how energy efficient your property is. It is shown on a scale of A being the most efficient to G being the least efficient.

The average property in England and Wales will be in Bands D-E. It will also give recommendations regarding how to improve your property's energy efficiency. This will help to save you money and help the environment.

All our Home Inspectors and Domestic Energy Assessors are qualified and covered by insurance. They will arrange a convenient appointment to carry out the inspection.

Evidence of Title

We will request Office Copy Entries and a Plan of your Title from the Land Registry. This will establish proof of ownership and whether there are any additional documents which we may require from the Land Registry. We will also be able to see whether the property is Freehold or Leasehold

Local Authority Search

The Local Authority Search is intended to show any matters which may affect the property. The search looks for planning proposals such as new roads, changes to road layouts, building developments in the vicinity and alterations to land use or public rights of way. It could also warn you of extra planning restrictions that might lie ahead. We will carry out the local authority search on your behalf.

Water and Drainage Search

The Water Search is intended to show whether your property is:- Connected to a public water supply Charged for water and waste water services - either measured (metered) or unmeasured (rateable value) Connected to a public sewer (there may be a sealed tank, septic tank or other private disposal facilities for which discharge consents may be needed. The owner will be responsible for maintenance of these). Close to or is affected by water mains or public sewers. United Utilities can (with reasonable notice) require entry to the land for inspection, repair or replacement and could even restrict the properties use or development/extension.

How Do You Order a HIP?

When you have chosen your estate agent you can either source a pack provider yourself or, more conveniently, ask your agent to organise everything for you. At Gordon Lamb we would instruct our pack provider to make contact with you within 24 hours to make all the arrangements.

How is the Pack Paid For?

The pack has to be commissioned before the marketing of a property can start. The pack provider that Gordon Lamb have chosen to link with offer a number of payment schemes which allow for all circumstances.