Home Information Packs

Residential Property

The original aim of Home Information Packs is to speed up the conveyancing process and avoid buyers withdrawing late in the day, by supplying them with information on the property at an earlier stage. Also, by providing buyers with an Energy Performance Certificate, it will encourage home owners to invest in energy saving improvements to their homes.

Sellers of all existing residential properties are unable to market their properties without first commissioning a HIP. Some properties are, however, exempt from this requirement and we will be happy to advise you whether you qualify for an exemption.

Concessions during the transitional period

Until 31 December 2008, it is only necessary for a seller to have commissioned a HIP before marketing. On and after 1 January 2009, the seller must have a complete pack before marketing. Properties with four or more bedrooms that were registered for sale prior to 1 August 2007 do not require a HIP, properties with three bedrooms that were registered for sale prior to 10 September 2007 do not require a HIP and properties with less than three bedrooms that have registered for sale prior to 14 December 2007 will not require a HIP.

HIPs are to include as a minimum:

A sale statement

An Energy Performance Certificate

Title documents

Local Authority Search

Water and Drainage Search

In some instances it may be necessary to include further information such as a copy of the lease for leasehold properties.

Warners HIP

We can provide a HIP for you and advise you on all the legal necessities.

The Service

Your HIP will be prepared in-house by the Residential Property Team who will ensure it is tailored to your needs. We are happy to spend time discussing your requirements with you.

Official or Personal Searches?
Personal searches:
These are produced by search agencies which search against the official records of the local authority and water and drainage bodies.

Official searches:
These are provided by the local authority (for local searches) and by the drainage and water authorities (for drainage and water searches). Official searches will be slightly more expensive than personal searches but there are numerous benefits as explained below.

We would recommend including official searches in the HIP for the following reasons:

- Authorities will not guarantee the accuracy of a personal search
- Many lenders will not accept a personal search but will always accept an official search

- There may be a time and cost saving benefit to official searches as the buyers’ solicitor should not need to request further searches once the sale has been agreed

Cost of the HIP
As we provide the HIP in-house and do not charge for our time in preparing the HIP, the price you will pay is identical to the cost of the HIP components. The cost of each individual HIP will vary depending on the local authority, whether or not the searches are expedited, the size of the property and whether the search selected is official or personal.

Deferred payment
We also offer the MDA advantage HIP (as approved by the Law Society) where you can elect to defer payment of the HIP for 6 months.

Contact Us
Should you wish us to obtain a HIP for you, or you would like to find out more about Warners and what the firm can offer you, please do not hesitate to telephone or visit our website;
www.warners-solicitors.co.uk

For further information, please contact:

Tonbridge:
John McAuliffe 01732 375343
Clare Harvey 01732 375322

Sevenoaks:
Claire Manning 01732 747933
Christine Ellis 01732 747954