What's In the Pack?

Julieanne Jensen - Home Heating Guide - 16th March 2008

There are two categories of documents contained in the Home Information Pack. The first category comprises of documents which must by law be included and the second holds authorised or voluntary information.

Further Information

The required documents which must be held in the pack are:

Index

This lists all the contents included in the pack. If an item that should be held within the pack is temporarily unavailable, the index must state this and give a reason why it is missing. It should also give the measures being taken to provide it. If, in the future more items are added or removed from the pack, the index should be updated to record this.

Energy Performance Certificate

This certificate states how energy efficient and environmentally friendly a property is. Both are rated on a scale of A-G, with A being the top rated band. Currently most UK homes fall into bands D or E in both categories and the certificate gives advice on how to improve this. For new build homes still under construction, the seller must give an estimated grade, however a full certificate will be provided once the property is completed.

Sale Statement

This document gives information relating to the terms of the sale and will include the address of the property, the type of property, whether it is being sold as vacant possession or occupied and whether it is being sold by the owner or someone else. It must also include information on whether the property is registered or unregistered at the Land Registry and whether it is Freehold, Commonhold or Leasehold.

Standard searches

This includes documentation held by the Local Authority relating to what are called local enquiries. This contains information on proposed road building and planning applications. Information on drainage and water services should also be included in this section as should the lands charges register relating to the property which is being sold.

Evidence of Title

These documents confirm the seller owns the property and has the right to sell. If the property is registered with the Land Registry, information available from them must be included in the pack. This will include official copies of the register and title plan relevant to the property.

The information included in Home Information Packs is applicable to all properties, however leasehold and commonhold buildings require extra information to be included.

Information on leasehold status

The only compulsory information to be included here is a copy of the lease. Other documents relating to leasehold should however be included if available. These can include any rules or regulations applying to the property or proposed changes to these and statements of service charges for the past three years. The details of the current owner should be included as should details of the agent if there is one. Finally, if necessary there should be information relating to any work which is currently being undertaken or proposed which may affect the property.

Any existing commonhold information

This should include an official copy of the individual register and title plan plus the following documentation if it can reasonably be obtainable. Rules and regulations not included in the commonhold community statement, copies of invoices for assessment, reserve fund levy and insurance for the previous twelve months, details of any manager or agent in charge of the property and any current or proposed work affecting the property.

The second category, authorised information should include the following:

Current guarantees or warranties

Any warranties or guarantees for work which has already been carried out on the property should be included under this section.

A home condition report

This is a legally binding report and gives details on the physical condition of the property. The assessment is carried out by a specialised Home Inspector.

Home Use and Contents

This report gives details on any fixtures and fitting within the home which are included in the sale. There is also information on planning permission, boundaries, services and anything else beneficial for the buyer to know about the property.