Solicitors Sample Home Information Pack by Ford Banks Irwin Solicitors - The Property Lawyers in Manchester
Please note: Not to be used or relied upon without legal advice. These notes are for illustrative purposes ONLYThe Seller or Seller's Estate Agent is under a duty to order a Home Information Pack when marketing the Property. There are a few exceptions to this requirement, for example when the Property is being sold between family and friends or when the Property is being sold as a Tenanted Property.
There are certain documents which are compulsory and the remainder being optional. In practice most Seller's simply include the minimum required by Law. All Home Information Packs must contain the following:
Index:
It is more accurately described as a contents page. The index is useful as it acts a checklist. If the required document is not included the index asks for confirmation that proof of the request for the document is included, the reason why the document is not included, steps being taken to obtain it, date when it is expected to be obtained and any other information. In practice most Home Information Pack providers simply wait until all the information is available. For a sample index click here.
Energy Performance Certificate:
This highlights how efficient the Property is at using energy. The information contained in the Energy Performance Certificate is fairly basic. For example the typical standard recommendations include:
Check your heating and hot water thermostat is not set too high;
Turn off lights is rooms not being used;
Avoid using the standby button on appliances.
The recommendations cover all the basics such as:
Cavity Wall insulation;
Roof insulation;
Floors;
Windows, although many homes are now double glazed;
Lighting - energy efficient light bulbs
Heating - using an efficient boiler
Using Solar / Photovoltaic panels - although the cost of installation is usually prohibitive.
Sale Statement:
This provides a brief summary of the particulars of sale. It includes the name of the Seller, the Property address, whether it is freehold or leasehold or commonhold, registered or unregistered and if the Property is being sold with vacant possession on completion. For a sample Sale Statement click here.
Title Deeds:
A copy of the Title Deeds are enclosed. The Property could be registered at HM Land Registry or unregistered. Freehold, Leasehold or Commonhold. All the information regarding the Title Deeds is contained in this section. For an indication of the information in the Title Deeds contained in at HM Land Registry click here.
Searches:
A Local Authority Search is required. A Local Authority Search discloses details of registrable charges. These are financial charges registered against the Property by the Local Authority. The search also discloses issues regarding the road, planning history and various notices.
A Water and Drainage search is required. The Water and Drainage search deals with questions concerning the Water Supply and Drainage to the Property.
Optional searches include:
Environmental Search;
Coal Mining Search;
Chancel Check Search;
Brine Search;
Tin Mining Search;
Prior to completion the Buyer's Solicitors will carry out further searches at the Land Registry. These are different and not included in any Home Information Pack.
Leasehold Properties:
For Leasehold Properties the Solicitors must also include the Lease. For a sample Lease click here.