For home sellers, providing a Home Information 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 home buyers, a Home Information Pack provides essential information about the home they are considering buying, free of charge.
Compulsory HIP documents ('Required') - for example, the evidence of title that proves it's yours to sell.
Optional HIP documents ('Authorised') - such as the Home Condition Report which gives buyers a clear idea of what work, if any, needs to be done to the property.
Compulsory Home Information Pack items
Sell4Less Home Information Packs contain all the following compulsory documents which must be included in a Home Information Pack.
- Home Information Pack Index
- Energy Performance Certificate
- Sale statement
- Standard searches
- Evidence of title
Additional information is required for leasehold and commonhold properties, all these documents are included in Sell4Less Home Information Packs and charged at the standard price of a freehold home information pack.
Home Information Pack Index
The hip Index lists the documents contained in your Home Information Pack and provides a checklist for home sellers, home buyers and enforcement authorities.
Energy Performance Certificate
Energy Performance Certificates tell you how energy efficient a home is on a scale of A-G. The most efficient homes - which should have the lowest fuel bills - are in band A. The Certificate also tells you, on a scale of A-G, about the impact the home has on the environment. Better-rated homes should have less impact through carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. The average property in the UK is in bands D-E for both ratings. The Certificate includes recommendations on ways to improve the home's energy efficiency to save you money and help the environment.
Sale Statement
The sale statement should provide some basic information about the property, including: The address of the home being sold, whether the property is freehold, leasehold or commonhold, whether the property is registered or unregistered, whether or not the property is being sold with vacant possession.
Standard searches
The Home Information Pack must include: The local land charges register relating to the property being sold. Other records held by the local authority on matters of interest to buyers, such as planning decisions and road building proposals. These are referred to as local enquiries in the Home Information Pack regulations. The provision of drainage and water services to the property.
Evidence of Title
These documents prove that the seller owns the property and therefore has the right to sell it. Where the property being sold is registered, certain documents that are available on request from the Land Registry must be included in the Pack. These provide an up-to-date official record of who owns the land.
