Selling A House: Do I Need A Home Information Pack?
by: Andrew Lowdon
As part of the Housing Act 2004, property sellers in England and Wales must provide a Home Information Pack before a property can be placed for sale on the open market.
Home Information Packs are designed to speed up the process of buying and selling property by providing the buyer and seller with more information at the outset of the transaction. At the same time they aim to improve the energy efficiency of the property.
The Home Information Pack, which can be viewed free of charge allows potential buyers to see important information about the property at the beginning of the buying process. This means that there is less chance of there being any surprises for the Buyer in the latter stages of the buying process.
A Home Information Pack must be no more than 3 months old, when the property is put up for sale.
The following documents must be placed in the Home Information Pack:
• Freehold Properties (Ownership of Property)
• A Home Information Pack Index listing the documents contained in the Home Information Pack
• Property Information Questionnaire
• Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) or Predicted Energy Assessment (PEA)
• Sustainability information (required for newly built homes)
• A Sale Statement summarising the terms of the sale
• Legal documentation detailing evidence of ownership of the property
• Standard searches, including a drainage and water search.
Leasehold Properties (Property rental for a fixed term)
• All the compulsory documents required for Freehold property Home Information Packs
• A copy of the lease.
Additional documents may be required in certain cases, solicitors in Cheshire, Rowlinsons can advise sellers on exactly which documents are needed for their property.
If a seller fails to provide a Home Information Pack or supplies an incomplete pack, the Trading Standards Department of the local authority fines the seller £200 per day the property is marketed.
If you are selling a property and are looking for Solicitors in Cheshire, Rowlinsons can offer you further information and help to create a Home Information Pack for you. Visit the Rowlinsons website for further information.
About The Author
Based in the rural Cheshire town of Frodsham, Rowlinsons offers clients an exceptional service: "big city" quality at non-city prices.
Combining modern technology with traditional values and experience, we offer our clients an unrivalled service in an approachable and personalised environment.
