Elaine

The Government has announced a delay to the introduction of Home Information Packs and now rather than requiring a Pack to market your home for sale from 1st June, as was originally planned, you will not need a Pack unless marketing from 1st August and only then if your property has four, or more bedrooms. Those with fewer bedrooms will require a Pack in the future, but no clear timescale has yet emerged.

The U-turn has come about through a shortage of accredited Domestic Energy Assessors, the people who will prepare the Energy Performance Certificates to be included in each Pack and also a legal challenge from the RICS who felt that insufficient consultation had been undertaken by the Government when it announced the Regulations governing the introduction of Packs.

There are further expected concessions relaxing the strict requirements intended before allowing a property to be put on the market, at least for a transitional period, but further amended Regulations clarifying this are awaited

Whats in a HIP?
The contents of a Pack will not change through this latest development and those that must be included are

An Index
An Energy Performance Certificate
Sale Statement
Evidence of title
Local Search
Drainage Search

If your property is leasehold further documentation is Required; a copy of the Lease, Service Charge Statements, demands for Ground Rent, Service Charges and Insurance contributions, Management Company Rules, the names and addresses of Landlords and Management Companies and any Notices served in respect of works to the property

In addition to the above a HIP can contain certain Authorised documents, which are not compulsory and include a Home Condition Report, further searches, for example a Mining Search, warranties, photographs, maps, plans, or drawings.

An Energy Performance Certificate, which will grade your home in the same way as you might see when considering purchasing a domestic appliance can only be prepared by a qualified Home Inspector, or Domestic Energy Assessor, who will look at such things as whether the property is double-glazed, has loft, or cavity wall insulation and the efficiency of the boiler.

A Home Information pack will be portable, which means that you are not tied to one Estate Agent, you can still instruct multiple Agents, or change Agents.

At mfg we are ready to guide you through the whole process of selling your home, from preparing a Home Information Pack for you, through to completion. For more information or to discuss the latest developments please ask to speak to a member of our Residential Property Division. Visit our website http://www.mfgsolicitors.com

mfg Solicitors Kidderminster