Home Information Packs

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. If you are selling a property you will need to provide one, by law, as part of the sale transaction.

The following documents must be included in the Home Information Pack:

1. An index listing the documents contained in the HIP;
2. An Energy Performance Certificate detailing the energy efficiency of the property. and recommending how it can be improved;
3. A Sale Statement summarising the terms of sale;
4. Legal documentation detailing evidence of ownership to the property;
5. Standard Searches, including a drainage and water search.

Additional documents may be required in certain cases and Rowlinsons will be happy to advise you on exactly which documents are needed for your property.

The Rowlinsons Home Information Pack Service

It is important to remember that Home Information Packs are legal documents. As an established law firm with 25 years of expertise in conveyancing, Rowlinsons is ideally placed to provide you with a high quality Home Information Pack that is fully compliant with Government legislation. If used in conjunction with our conveyancing service we are able to provide a value for money and customer focused service from start to finish.

Our service provides the following benefits:

• Competitive, fixed prices so you know exactly what you will be paying upfront
• A variety of payment options, including a deferred payment scheme
• Regular progress updates in a pre-agreed manner that suits you
• Direct telephone and email access to the person handling your matter
• A fast and efficient service ensuring the pack is prepared as quickly as possible
• Knowledgeable staff to help you navigate the often complex legal information involved in Home Information Packs

Next steps

For more information or to instruct Rowlinsons to prepare your Home Information Pack, simply call 01928 735333 and ask to speak to a member of our Home Information Packs Team.

Frequently asked questions

1. What is a Home Information Pack?

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.

2. What is included in a Home Information Pack?

A Home Information Pack comprises of the following:

• An index listing the documents contained in the HIP;
• An Energy Performance Certificate detailing the energy efficiency of the property. and recommending how it can be improved;
• A Sale Statement summarising the terms of sale;
• Legal documentation detailing evidence of ownership to the property;
• Standard Searches, including a drainage and water search.

Additional documents may be required in certain cases and Rowlinsons will be happy to advise you on exactly which documents are needed for your property.

3. Does every property need one?

Home Information Packs currently apply to residential properties including both houses and flats. However, there are a number of exceptions and Rowlinsons will be happy to advise you of these.

4. Who will pay for the Home Information Pack?

The Home Information Pack must be paid for by the seller.

5. How much does a Home Information Pack cost?

Prices for a Rowlinsons Home Information Pack start from £299 plus VAT. Prices vary as to whether the property is freehold or leasehold and registered or unregistered. Please do not hesitate to contact Rowlinsons for further information.

6. How can I pay for my Home Information Pack?

Rowlinsons offer a variety of payment options, including cheque, credit card and deferred payment.

7. Who can view the Home Information Pack for my property?

The regulations state that anyone who wants a paper copy is entitled to receive one except in certain limited circumstances such as the Estate Agents not believing that the person is a serious buyer. Rowlinsons will provide your Estate Agent with a hard copy of the Home Information Pack as well as in electronic format. Ultimately it will be your Estate Agent who controls which individuals are given access to your Home Information Pack

8. What is an Energy Performance Certificate?

An EPC is an energy rating which works on similar basis to the ratings given to electrical appliances such as fridges. The EPC provides a scale of A-G giving the current efficiency of the property and its potential rating. It will also include recommendations as to how the energy efficiency of the property can be improved.

9. What is a Home Condition Report?

A Home Condition Report (HCR) is not a compulsory element of the Home Information Pack. It is a survey which the seller can order so as to provide potential buyers with more information as to the genuine condition of the property. They aim to avoid situations where the transaction falls through at a late stage due to buyers discovering defects in a property. If you are interested in including an HCR in your Home Information Pack, please do not hesitate to contact Rowlinsons.

If you include an HCR in the Home Information Pack, then there is no requirement for an EPC. Please note that an HCR is more expensive than an EPC.

10. Does the Home Information Pack have to be completed before the property can be marketed?

The Home Information Pack does not have to be completed for the property to be marketed. The only requirement is for the Pack to be commissioned. If Rowlinsons are instructed to prepare a Home Information Pack on your behalf, then we will notify your Estate Agent as soon as the Pack has been ordered.

11. How long will it take to prepare a HIP?

We aim to complete the Home Information Pack within 7 to 10 days.

12. How long is the Home Information Pack valid for?

Once a Home Information has been completed there is no need for it to be updated, provided that your property remains on the market.

If your property is taken off the market and is then put back on the market after a certain time period, an updated version of the HIP may then be required.

Contact Us:

Email: Andrew Graves
Email: Anne Robinson
Email: Tom Parkinson