Home Information Packs
From the 14th December 2007, there have been changes to the way that properties are bought and sold in England and Wales. From now, all home owners must have a Home Information Pack before putting their homes up for sale.
The Government is launching Home Information Packs as a way to improve the buying and selling process. A Home Information Pack will contain information and documents about the property for sale which will allow buyers to make an informed decision about whether they wish to make an offer. This includes a sale statement, evidence of title, standard searches, warranties, guarantees and an Energy Performance Certificate.
An Energy Performance Certificate is in effect a domestic energy assessment which looks at fittings such as double glazing, heating and insulation. This gives the house an overall ‘green’ rating. It can also contain advice on how to cut carbon emissions and fuel bills. Energy Performance Certificates must be conducted by an accredited Energy Assessor. We have close links with a number of independent Energy Assessors so we can commission your certificate if necessary, or we can just provide the legal requirements.
Home Information Packs aim to speed up the buying and selling process, and prevent the many ‘breaks in the chain’ that so often occur with the current legal procedure.
How can Walker Smith Way help?
Walker Smith Way support the introduction of Home Information Packs and will be able to advise you on generating one. We will provide all the legal requirements of a pack, in partnership with other suppliers such as Surveyors, Estate Agents and Energy Assessors. Packs are portable – once you have generated one you can take it to any agent.
www.homeinformationpacks.gov.uk
