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Home
Information Pack Important Changes:
From April 6th 2009, property marketing for sale cannot commence
unless the Home Information Pack contains the following documents:
● A completed Index for the property.
● A completed Property Information Questionnaire or "PIQ".
● An Energy
Performance Certificate (EPC)
for Existing Homes, or Predicted Energy Certificate (PEA) for a New
Build Dwelling.
● A completed Sale Statement for the property.
● Title Documentation for the property.
● The required property searches and leasehold information must be
requested and obtained within 28 days (but will not delay marketing the
property).
From April 6th 2009 these measures mean that an estate agent, solicitor,
or private seller cannot erect a ‘for sale’ board, market the property
online or in a local newspaper, or engage in anything else that can be
construed as ‘marketing’ without the above documents being completed
beforehand.
Any delays in getting these basic HIP documents in place will prevent
marketing the property, which could mean that you may miss out on
important viewings from home buyers. Therefore HIP providers who can
provide a expedient delivery of the required documents will gain a
competitive advantage, in the HIPs market.
Property Information Questionnaire (PIQ)
This documentation is a new feature of the Home Information Pack, the PIQ
or Property Information Questionnaire, this will include such information
as flood risk information, gas and electricity safety documents, service
charges for leasehold property, structural damage, and parking
arrangements in the area to assist buyers make an informed decision to
view and/or purchase the property.
The PIQ has been introduced by CLG (Communities & Local Government).
It is the vendor who needs to complete Property Information Questionnaire,
the homeowner will need to consider how to complete the PIQ, Independent HIP
Providers and property solicitors can offer help and advice. If the
Property Information Questionnaire is not completed promptly this could
possibly delay the property going onto the market, consequently it is in
your own interest to complete the questionnaire as soon as possible.
Although the
home seller can make their own home information pack there are some parts
of the pack notably a domestic EPC (Energy Performance Certificate),
which can only be issued by an accredited energy assessor.
In addition,
if an optional home condition report is required, this must be
provided by an accredited home inspector. All other documentation can be
obtained from other sources locally, usually from your local authority
with respect to searches. A great deal of information can be obtained
yourself, with a little of your time and effort. Refer to Home
Information Packs for a full list of the documentation required for a
HIP.
Further
information on Property
Searches CON29 LLC1 Personal Search Environmental Report Water and Drainage.
The homeowner
may appoint an assessor which are normally situated locally, please see
the inspector directory on this site to find
assessors and home inspectors working in your area.
If you are
considering producing a home condition report as part of your HIP then, this also must be
carried out by a qualified home inspector (who can also issue an EPC for
your property).
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There are
several parts that make up the HIP, some elements can be obtained on a Do
It Yourself HIP basis, further advice on the main constituent parts are detailed in the
Home
Pack Guide
Cheaper, low cost Home Information Packs can be obtained from
independent Home Information Pack Providers, using independent companies will
allow you to obtain a Hip with no tie-ins with your estate agent. A register of
Hip companies is available please refer to Home
Information Packs
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In recent press releases it has been stated that some lenders will not
accept a personal search for property particulars.
Personal searches are used because they are normally cheaper than a full postal search, some solicitors are being requested to underwrite the details of the search, Local Authority Searches must include all information to be disclosed, if using a search agent ensure they are covered by Search Indemnity Insurance and regulated by the FSA.
If your
property is based in the Nottingham City area or Nottinghamshire region we would be happy to
provide you with a quote for our services to provide you with an EPC. - please
contact us
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