| • | HIP Index |
| • | Sale statement - A document stating whether the property is freehold or leasehold and whether it has a registered or unregistered title
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| • | Title information and plan from the Land Registry or a copy of your title deeds (if unregistered)
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| • | Local search result
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| • | Drainage and water search result
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| • | Energy performance certificate
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Personal searches are:
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Cheaper and faster, than an official search |
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Are not acceptable to all solictors/lenders and could delay the transaction if the solicitors decides to commission and official search. |
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Acceptabe to all solicitors and lenders. They also provide more detailed and comprehensive information. |
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Potential delay in supplying the HIP and possible delay in marketing the property. They are also more expensive than a personal search. |
Since 1 August 2007 if you want to sell a property, you have to order a Home Information Pack (HIP) before placing the property on the market. It is an offence for the seller and agent not to commission a HIP before the property is placed on the market. There are exceptions; for example if the property is substantially commercial, is let or is sold privately (i.e. without being marketed).
Why choose Lewes Smith?
By choosing us to act you will have the benefit of a team of experienced property professionals (Legal Executives) led by a Solicitor with over 35 years of conveyancing experience and dealing with the property market.
The aim of our firm is provide an individual, independent and personal service with total integrity whilst meeting the demands of the modern property market by using advanced technology in every aspect of the process - from commissioning the HIP to completion of the sale/purchase.
Local Searches
For the most part local searches remain a controversial issue for a Buyer’s Solicitor. Do you choose a personal search? Or do you choose an official search? The position on this is now more complex than in the days before HIPS. Essentially, we need to know whether you would like us to obtain an personal or official search.
To help we have complied a list of advantages and disadvantages, which are on the left hand side of this page.
Fees and charges for sellers
If you ask us to prepare a HIP for you we will charge you for the components for the HIP and an administration fee of £100.00 (plus VAT) payable in advance.The administration fee will be deducted from our final bill, if you instruct us to act for you in the sale.
We will also ask you for £350.00 on account to cover the cost of the HIP components. (This amount may be higher if you are selling in London as the London Boroughs charge more for their search fees). We will provide a written estimate for the legal charges for dealing with the sale (and purchase if you are buying). Once you confirm that wish to instruct us and make your payment on account, we can order the HIP and then tell the agents so that the property can be marketed.
What does a HIP mean for a buyer?
Most Buyers do not ask the selling agent for a copy of the HIP before putting an offer on the property, we believe that buyers should and take into account what it means for any new property purchase.
We can provide you with a professional opinion on the HIP for the property you are buying simply let us have a copy and we will prepare an initial basic report on the HIP for you. We will charge a a fixed fee payable in advance of £100.00 (plus VAT) for a freehold property and £200.00 (plus VAT) for a leasehold property. If you then instruct us on the purchase, we will deduct that fee from our final bill.
