Since 14 December 2007 every home on the market, no matter what size, must have a Home Information Pack.  It brings together valuable information at the start of the process – such as a sale statement, local searches and evidence of title – which could save you money, time and stress.  The Pack also includes an Energy Performance Certificate that contains advice on how to cut CO₂ emissions and fuel bills.

HIPs provide key information needed by buyers and sellers at the very start of the home-buying process, making transactions more efficient and less likely to fall through between offer and exchange.  HIP documents give consumers a clear, up front picture of what they are buying and selling.

What is an Energy Performance Certificate?

An Energy Performance Certificate shows the official efficiency rating of a property.  If you’re not planning to sell your home, you don’t need to do anything.

The Certificate provides you with a rating for the building, showing its energy efficiency and its environmental impact on a scale from A-G (where A is the most efficient and G the least efficient), in graphical format.  It also contains recommended ways to improve the building’s energy performance.

By 2009, all buildings in the UK that are constructed, sold or rented out will have to have an Energy Performance Certificate, in accordance with the European Energy Performance of Buildings Directive.

MHP Surveyors LLP can provide EPCs (Energy Performance Certificates) on either an in-house or on a consultancy basis at competitive fee levels.  Contact: johntoll@ukonline.co.uk  or sales@eliteeneregyconsultants.co.uk 

Information from: www.homeinformationpacks.gov.uk

Benefits for sellers

For sellers, providing a Pack upfront should reduce the likelihood of any nasty surprises in the selling process that could delay the sale, as buyers will be able to make more informed decisions about purchasing their home.

Benefits for purchasers

For buyers, the Pack provides essential information about properties about properties they are considering buying, free of charge.

Most sellers of newly built homes will have to provide a predicted assessment of the energy efficiency of the property, but a full Energy Performance Certificate should be provided to the buyer when the home is completed.  See details of specific exemptions.

Essential Information

The Home Information Pack brings together key information needed by buyers and sellers at the very start of the home-buying and selling process, and ensure that important information about improving the energy efficiency of homes is made available every time a property is sold.

Buyers should always:

¨      Ask to see the Pack on a property they are interested in, and check that it’s complete

¨      Check to see if any of the compulsory documents are missing and that there is a satisfactory explanation and an assurance that the missing items will be provided as soon as possible

¨      Find out whether a Home Condition Report was commissioned as part of the Pack

¨      Give a copy of the pack to their solicitor – this could save you time and money

MHP Surveyors LLP can provide an Energy Performance Certificate either directly or via an associate.  Contact: johntoll@ukonline.co.uk or sales@eiliteenergyconsultants.co.uk

Link to:  www.homeinformationpacks.gov.uk