Get the correct local searches in the sellers pack or HIPs
If you buy a HIPs pack the local searches need to be the actual Local authority searches and not the generic database searches that HIP providers are using.
Under planning law, it is about whether rooms are habitable, not whether they are bedrooms or not. So HIPs regulations can be avoided on any size of home by using Rooms..
So without the correct local searches, in the HIPs pack delays will be caused, which is what HIPs was supposed to avoid.
- The building society and your buyers solicitor will refuse to accept them and demand new ones.
- You can be charged for the cost of the extra searches causing more delay and aggravation.
The Cheaper HIPs packs at around £380 are unlikely to have the correct information, so the cost of Hips with the correct searches will be around £600. Considering that Barnett council charge £280 for the search.
Make sure that if your ever need a home information pack or sellers pack that the searches in there are correct.
The required HIP documents are: with word and pdf examples.
- Home information index Basically a list of the packs content.
- Energy performance Energy Performance Certificate.
- Sale statement Sale statement.doc
- Evidence of Land registry title example.
- Local Authority plus drainage-&-water searches. -
- A drainage and water search can be requested from your water supplier.
- Additional information for leasehold and commonhold sales, where appropriate.
You can also include a Home contents document in the pack, to layout what is included and whats not.
The cost of the pack may well be more expensive but the information will be acceptable to both sides and no delays.
If your not sure ask, and get the facts in writing before parting with your cash, that the searches in the pack are the local Authority searches.
[...] can also confirm that the Majority of Hip packs contain, incorrect local searches, the local searches required in the sellers pack should come from the Local authority and not the [...]