Standard Searches
As of December 14th 2007 if you plan on selling your house you are required to provide a Home Information Pack. This new development means there is no escaping HIPS. Whereas one and two-bedroom houses are spared at the moment come December everyone must provide a pack when putting their house on the market.
It is the seller’s responsibility to supply the buyer with a Home Information Pack. This pack will provide all the information needed in the house buying process but buyers must be sure to include all the required documents or the pack is deemed invalid.
What Should the Pack Include?
- Index
- Energy Performance Certificate
- Sale statement
- Evidence of Title
- Standard searches
Standard Searches
The Searches must include the local land charges register. This informs the buyer of any hidden charges on the property, for example any financial charges detailing amounts of money that are due to the Local Authority. These charges are usually incurred through work performed by the Local Authority.Charges can also include those relating to conservation areas. These areas have been designated by the authority as areas containing special architectural or historic interest. The charge is in place to preserve these areas. The new buyer must be made aware of any charges relating to conservation areas that he or she may incur as a result of buying it.The land charges register search can be carried out by your local authority or you can find a private company to do it. You will then get a certificate to confirm the search has been performed.
The searches must also include other records held by the local authority on matters of interest to buyers. These include such things as road building proposals in the surrounding areas. Imagine how annoying would it be to buy a house with a beautiful view only to find a motorway is to be erected outside your back garden the following year! Once again this can be supplied by your local authority or by a private company. You can find a private company in your local directory.
The third part of the Standard Searches document is the search for drainage and water services to the property. This search details information surrounding the water supply to the property and information of the drainage system in the area. These can also be provided by your local authority.
The Home Information pack is designed to make the process of buying and selling houses more straightforward so there are plenty of resources on offer to help you compile the pack as easily as possible. Your Local Authority will be able to advise you on all the aspects of Standard Searches.
