Critchley Hall News
Home Information Pack Checklist
On 06 April 2009 the HIP provisions come into full force. A HIP must be completed before a property is placed on the market for sale. The seller will need to put in some time and effort but it will be worthwhile; a properly prepared HIP is a sound marketing tool and will help the interested buyers to decide that this is the property for them.
The following checklist sets out the areas that the seller needs to cover:
- The Energy Performance Certificate: this can be prepared by an EPC provider local to you. There are steps the seller can take before the inspection takes place, such as the fitting of low energy light bulbs, and the seller should speak with the provider.
- Title: the HIP contains a copy of the seller’s title to the property. Where the title is registered at the Land Registry we will obtain copies direct. In many titles reference is made to documents filed at the land registry, it is important that these documents are included also.
Where the title is not registered at the Land Registry then we shall require the title deeds to include the relevant documents in the HIP. Where the title deeds are held by a lender then the lender will forward the title deeds to us to be held by us to their order pending completion on the sale. We shall require the name of the lender and the seller’s mortgage account number.
- The Property Information Questionnaire: this is new from 06 April 2009 and is intended to provide the buyer with practical information about the property. The seller will need to produce:
1. The latest bills for council tax, water and sewerage, electricity, gas and telephone.
2. Guarantees for work carried out to the property, all papers are required. Some guarantees will provide that claims must be accompanied by the original report setting out the works the subject of the guarantee and receipt for the payment of the account.
3. The planning permission and building regulations approval and completion certificate for work carried out to the property. This can be easier said than done and we can assist. Sometimes the papers will be with the title deeds to the property; often we know how to trace them.
4. A central heating boiler service certificate. If there has been no recent service then the seller should have it done for the purposes of the HIP.
5. An electrical installation inspection certificate. Again this is a worthwhile exercise purely for the purposes of the HIP.
6. Details of any damage caused to the property by storm or fire during the seller’s period of ownership and any associated insurance claim.
7. Details of replacement windows, doors, patio doors or double glazing installed at the property.
8. Where the property is a flat the seller must provide the last three years accounts for payment of ground rent and service charges.
- Searches: the HIP contains certificates of searches with the local authority and the drainage and water services provider. In the case of the local authority search certificate it is worth going the extra mile by buying a full search as opposed to a personal search offered by many HIP providers.