Home Information Packs

The law has been changed so that a property cannot be put on the market or advertised for sale until its owner has prepared, or started to prepare, a Home Information Pack.

From the 6th April 2009, the Government's regulations concerning this state that the Home Information Pack must include:

• details of the legal title to the property
  
• a plan of the property
  
• property information questionaire
  
• a local search on the property
  
• a drainage search
  
• an Energy Performance Certificate (which grades properties for their energy efficiency in the same way as fridges are advertised)
  
• Further requirements if the property is leasehold - in particular a copy of the Lease and, from 1st June 2008, other information from the Landlord
  

As Solicitors we are already used to obtaining and presenting all of this information on behalf of our clients, with the exception of the Energy Performance Certificate, which is a new requirement. We have established connections with trusted suppliers who will be able to deliver this new requirement for our clients in a fast and cost effective manner.

A Home Information pack can, but does not have to, also include certain further information. It is likely that a Solicitor acting for a Buyer of a property will want to see much information that does not have to be included in a Home Information Pack. A Pack without this information will not, therefore, help to speed up the progress of a sale. A full Pack with the right information should mean a much quicker sale can be achieved.

Whilst many Estate Agents will undoubtedly offer a service in providing Home Information Packs, for them it is an entirely new venture and they have neither the experience in obtaining, nor the knowledge in assessing the information required, nor the ability to correct any errors or problems before presenting the information. We do! Our legal team have extensive experience of assessing the information required and the ability to deal with any queries or problems before presenting the information.

For this reason, if you are considering selling a property, we suggest you contact our Conveyancing team first, before instructing an Estate Agent

Energy Performance Certificates

Homes offered for sale before Home Information Packs were introduced and which were previously exempt, will still require an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)

If you have a property on the market and have not yet commissioned an EPC, the time to act is now.

The majority of commercial properties also now require an EPC

For more information, or, if you need us to arrange an EPC for you, please email  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 01789 767916