Home Information Packs including Energy Performance Certificates will be implemented on a phased basis from 1 August.

From then Packs will be required for the sale of four bedroom properties and larger, with smaller properties being phased in as soon as sufficient energy assessors are fully qualified.

The purpose of the PACK (the HIP) is to bring key information needed by buyers and sellers to the forefront of the conveyancing process.

HOW DO YOU OBTAIN A COPY OF THE PACK ?

Whomsoever is advertising the sale (normally an estate agent) will have to provide a HIP. If an estate agent they must provide a copy of the pack free of charge subject to reasonable photocopying or CD expenses. If the sale is private then the seller should have a pack available in any event.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST ?

If buying then the pack should be free. The cost for preparing the pack with us will be as follows:

Cornerstones Mandatory HIP:

This contains the Mandatory information in accordance with Government guidelines for the property to be marketed. This Pack will be drafted only for sellers that wish to instruct us for preparing the Pack on a one off basis. It will not contain any additionally information that would normally be included within a draft contractual package (pre 1st August 2007) e.g. additional searches, guarantees, certificates.

The Pack will include the following:

1. Energy Performance Certificate
2. Index
3. Sale Statement
4. Evidence of title (Office copy entries)
5. Local Authority, Drainage/Water searches
6. Standard Replies to Enquiries
7. Additional information for leasehold and commonhold sales where appropriate *

Cost: £350.00 + VAT

(this does not include the cost of obtaining the searches or other documentation, e.g. Local search, copy legal title, leases, etc)

Cornerstones Premium HIP:

This pack will be prepared for sellers that instruct us to act in the sale of their property ONLY.

This Pack will contain all of the above and the following additional information that we consider to be vital to the selling process. Obviously this will vary depending on whether the property is Freehold (normally a House) of Leasehold (normally a flat or maisonette):

1. Home Use forms (previously called Seller Property/Leasehold Information Forms)
2. Contents forms (previously called Fixtures and Fittings forms)
3. Legal Summary
4. Other Searches, e.g. Environmental searches, Chancel Repair Searches, Plan Searches - if relevant.
5. Other information that we feel is necessary in order for the sale to proceed to completion.

Cost: CORNERSTONES WILL NOT CHARGE FOR THIS SERVICE

(this does not include the cost of obtaining the searches or other documentation, e.g. local search, copy legal title, leases, etc)

*Where searches, leasehold or commonhold information is missing from the Pack we will provide a letter confirming that an agreement has been made to supply the missing information as soon as reasonable practicable and or within 28 days except in exceptional circumstances.

Should this information not be available within the 28 days then we will provide proof or demonstrate that attempts have been made to obtain the documentation.

Examples of when such information may not be available, i.e. dealing with a management company in leasehold transactions and the relevant service charge information is not immediately forthcoming as a result of arrears on account.