Since 14 December 2007 every home put on the market, no matter what size, must have a Home Information Pack. It brings together valuable information at the start of the process - such as a sale statement, local searches and evidence of title - which could save you money, time and stress.

 

The Pack also includes an Energy Performance Certificate that contains advice on how to cut CO₂ emissions and fuel bills.

The Housing Act 2004 (Commencement No.11) (England and Wales) Order 2008 was made on 13 March and comes into force on 6 April 2008. This completes the application of HIPs to all new build properties also.

The Mackenzie Johnson Solicitors HIP is competitively priced at £299 (including VAT and disbursements) and offers the reassurance of using a local firm of solicitors whose residential property team has many years of property transaction experience.

What is in a HIP?

Required documents

• Home Information Pack Index
• Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
• Sale Statement
• Title Documentation
• Local Authority Search
• Water and Drainage Search
• Leasehold Documents – Lease, landlord details etc (Leasehold properties)
• Index map search – Unregistered land

Authorised documents

• Home Condition Report (HCR)
• Home Use Form
• Home Contents Form
• Additional Searches – there are a whole range of these which could be included:
  • Environmental
  • Mining
  • Flood Risk
  • Chancel Repair Liability  
  • Legal Summary
  • Warranties, Guarantees and Insurance policies relating to work or improvements carried out on the property
  •  Copies of Building Regulations and Planning Applications

Surprisingly, anyone can provide a HIP. This means that there are a number of unregulated pack providers who have entered the property market. It is important however, to bear in mind, that it is the quality of the HIP that is important and not just the cost involved. HIPs will only deliver these benefits for the consumer if the information is complete, accurate and easy to understand. It is more than likely that some HIP providers will do the minimum required in order to comply with the legislation to enable a property to be marketed. Such packs have the potential to be incomplete, inaccurate and in the end, a waste of your time and your money. There will be no shortage of those offering HIPs but not all packs will be of the same quality and the seller should look carefully at what is on offer.

Sellers who are able to offer complete and accurate packs will see the benefit from faster sale times and sales that do not fall through.  We believe that solicitors are best placed to produce these packs as we have the legal knowledge and practical experience to know what information a potential buyer will require.

The benefits of instructing Mackenzie Johnson solicitors to prepare your HIP is that we can identify the relevant documents which need to be included in the pack.  We ensure our clients can liaise with us on the contents of the pack and the replies to enquiries rather than relying on the advice of a third party who may have no legal knowledge whatsoever.  We believe this early involvement with the property assists our clients with the sale or purchase in that we are in a good position to advise upon the pack at the early stages of the proposed transaction and any likely 'problems' can be identified at an early stage.  This also means that our clients do not face duplication of time and costs.  

Finally, as a firm of solicitors regulated by the Law Society of England & Wales we have appropriate legal indemnity cover up to £2,000,000 which is not always the case with other pack providers.

So, when you decide to sell your property make sure that you first contact us for your  one - stop property service. Please contact us or e.mail:- info@mackenziejohnson.com for further information.