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Home Imformation Packs (HIPS)

What's in a Home Information Pack?

COMPULSORY DOCUMENTS:

Home Information Pack Index - The Index provides a checklist for sellers, buyers, estate agents and enforcement authorities. Where a document that must be included in the Pack is unavailable, the Index must say so, give the reason it is missing, and indicate what steps are being taken to obtain it. Where documents are added to or removed from the Pack at a later stage, the Index should be revised accordingly.

Energy Performance Certificate - This tells you how energy efficient a home is on a scale of A-G. The most efficient homes should have the lowest fuel bills which are in band A. The certificates are commissioned by the seller from an accredited Energy Assessor. This data includes the date, construction and location of the property. And relevant fittings (e.g. heating systems, insulation, double glazing, etc).

Sale Statement - This should provide some basic information about the site, for example:

>	The name of the seller and the address of the property 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. If the search is carried out by the local authority, an official search certificate will be provided. Alternatively a personal search company can be used.
>	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. A local authority or a personal search company can be used.
>	The provision of drainage and water services to the property. The local water company or a personal search company can be used (however, the search must comply with the HIP Regulations).
>	Whether or not the property is being sold with vacant possession

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, and consist of:

>	Official copies of the individual register (made up of a property register, proprietorship register and, typically, a charges register)
>	An official copy of the title plan

Additional information about leasehold and commonhold sales

Required leasehold documents:

>	A copy of the lease
>	Any regulations or rules that apply to the property that aren't mentioned in the lease and any proposed amendments to same
>	Statements or summaries of service charges covering the previous 36 months
>	Where appropriate, the most recent requests for payment of service charges, ground rent, insurance against damage for the building in which the property is situated, and insurance in respect of personal injury caused by or within the building during the 12-month period before marketing began
>	The name and address of the current or proposed lessor, and details of any managing agent that has been appointed or proposed by the lessor to manage the property
>	A summary of any works being undertaken or proposed that will affect the property or the building in which it's situated.

Required commonhold documents:

An official copy of the individual register and title plan for the common parts.

Where they are reasonably obtainable, or sellers can reasonably be expected to be aware of them, the following documents and information are also required:

·	Copies of any regulations or rules not described in the commonhold community statement and any amendments proposed to those regulations or to the commonhold community statement
·	Copies of any requests for payments made in the previous 12 months in respect of commonhold assessment, reserve fund levy and insurance (if not covered by a request for commonhold assessment)
·	The name and address of any managing agent or other person appointed or proposed to be appointed by the commonhold association to manage the commonhold
·	A summary of current or proposed works affecting the commonhold

Where appropriate, the most recent requests for payment of service charges, ground rent, insurance against damage for the building in which the property is situated, and insurance in respect of personal injury caused by or within the building during the 12-month period before marketing began

The name and address of the current or proposed lessor, and details of any managing agent that has been appointed or proposed by the lessor to manage the property

A summary of any works being undertaken or proposed that will affect the property or the building in which it's situated.

OPTIONAL DOCUMENTS:

·	Home Condition Report - This contains information about the physical condition of a property which sellers, buyers and lenders will be able to rely on legally as an accurate report.
·	Legal Summary - Home Information Packs will contain some complex documents that can be difficult to understand. The optional summary of the legal content of the pack could therefore be very helpful to buyers, although it will not remove the need for buyers to take their own legal advice as well.
·	Home use / contents forms - These let sellers give buyers information on a range of matters relating to the property. These include information on boundaries, notices, services, sharing with neighbours, planning permissions and other matters of interest to potential buyers. It is usual for sellers to declare which fixtures and fittings and other contents of the property are included in the sale, are excluded from the sale, or are subject to negotiation.
·	Other documents - Sellers could speed up the sale if they include non-standard searches in the Home Information Pack where appropriate. For example, rights of way, ground stability and actual or potential environmental hazards such as flooding and contaminated land. Sellers should also include guarantees and warranties for work already carried out on their homes.

How do I get a Home Information Pack?

It can be a little daunting as to how to go about putting together a pack. AGA Mortgages can take the worry off your hands and will introduce you to a service provider who can prepare one for you. For more information please contact us.