From 1 June 2007, all home owners in England and Wales will need to prepare a Home Information Pack before putting their home up for sale. The aim of the Home Information Pack is to make the process of buying and selling more transparent, more efficient, faster, simpler, and easier to understand.  It is hoped it will reduce the number of failed transactions.  A buyer will have information up front and will not have to waste time and money on searches, surveys and legal fees and then decide if they wish to proceed.

The Home Information Pack will consist of important documents providing information about a property, which will include searches, copies of the deeds and other useful information.

Contents of the Home Information Pack

The pack is likely to include copies of the following documents:

• Terms of sale
• Evidence of title (ownership)
• Registered Land – An Official Copy of the Register and Title Plan
• Unregistered Land – Official Search of Index Map and documents evidencing Title.
• Replies to standard preliminary enquiries made on behalf of buyers
• Copies of any planning, listed building and building regulations consents and approvals
• For new properties, copies of warranties and guarantees
• Any guarantees for work carried out on the property
• Replies to searches made of the local authority and details of planning permissions
• Drainage and Water Search
• Home Contents Form (Replacing the Fixtures and Fittings Form)
• Home Use Form (Replacing the Sellers Property Information Form)

Leasehold Flats

The pack is likely to include documents as detailed above and copies of the following documents:

• Copy of the lease or Land Registry Official Copy
• Names and Addresses of Landlord, Management Company and any managing agents
• Service charge accounts and receipts for the last 36 months
• Building insurance policy details and payment receipts
• Regulations made by the Landlord or Management Company subsequent to the grant of the Lease.
• Memorandum and articles of the landlord or management company
• Summary of Current or proposed works
• Recent requests for payment or financial contributions towards service charges, ground rent and insurance
• Any amendments to the above

Commonhold Property

The pack is likely to include documents as detailed in the main pack as detailed above and copies of the following documents:

• Land Registry Official Copy of the Register and Title Plan relating to the Common Parts
• Commonhold Community Statement
• Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Commonhold Association
• Names and Addresses of any Managing Agents
• Service charge accounts and receipts for the last 36 months
• Building insurance policy details and payment receipts
• Regulations or rules made by the Commonhold Association
• Summary of Current or proposed works affecting the Commonhold
• Recent requests for payments of Commonhold assessment, reserve funds and insurances
• Any amendments to the above