How do I provide a Pack?
An estate agent might choose to compile a Pack themselves or use a third-party organisation to compile one on their behalf.
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COMPILING THE PACK
Using a third party to compile Packs
If you want to use a third party to compile Packs, you could consider approaching a solicitor, conveyancer or dedicated Pack provider. As an estate agent, you probably already have an excellent knowledge of solicitors in the local area - so you could contact those directly. If you want to use a dedicated Pack provider, you can find contact details through the Association of Home Information Pack Providers (AHIPP). However, note that not all Pack providers will necessarily be a member of AHIPP.
Compiling Packs yourself
If you have not signed up with a Pack provider and you are looking to compile the Pack yourself, you will need to:
- Contact a solicitor or conveyancer to arrange for the searches and legal documents you need or go to the appropriate local authority or a personal search company for the searches, and to the Land Registry for evidence of title.
- Locate a Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA) to do your Energy Performance Certificate (note all Home Inspectors are accredited as Domestic Energy Assessors as well)
- Find a Home Inspector if you want a Home Condition Report
Protecting yourself
On 29 September 2006, the Search Code and HIP Code were introduced, delivering quality standards across both the property search industry and in Home Information Packs (HIPs).
If you are commissioning a HIP, you may wish to consider a company that is a member of the HIP Code. Alternatively, if you are commissioning searches or are compiling the Pack yourself, you may wish to consider a company that has signed up to the Search Code.
Here you can find a full list of organisations that have signed up to one or both of the codes at the Property Codes Compliance Board (PCCB). The PCCB has been established to maintain a register of firms committed to operating within these standards of practice and to independently monitor compliance with the Codes. The PCCB will also encourage organisations to sign up to the Codes to promote increased consumer protection.
Finding a DEA or Home Inspector
If you need to find a Domestic Energy Assessor or a Home Inspector, you can do so by searching your local directory / internet business listings.
If your search is still unsuccessful, you could contact one of the DEA Accreditation schemes or the Home Inspector Certification schemes who have details of their members.
Full details of how to compile a Pack yourself is available on our consumer site. This link will open up in a new window.
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DISTRIBUTING THE PACK AND DISPLAYING DETAILS
The person responsible for marketing a property must have commissioned a Home Information Pack by the time that the property is on the market. As soon as the Energy Performance Certificate (a compulsory part of the Pack) has been received, you need to assemble a Pack as soon as possible. Potential buyers will then be entitled to have a copy of the Pack, or any document from it on request and within the 'permitted period'.
The 'permitted period' is either 14 days following the request for copies, or, if later, the day on which a payment for copies is received.
Once an offer has been accepted, make sure a copy of the Pack is sent to the buyer's solicitor.
The property's energy-performance details should be made available as part of the written particulars. If the energy-performance details are not available when the property is first marketed, the particulars should be amended when they do become available.
Written Particulars are defined as any description of the property which includes at least two of the following -
a) a photograph of the building or any room in the building;
b) a floor plan of the building; or
c) a description of the size of the rooms in the building
and a reference to giving written particulars includes a reference to giving or making available particulars electronically. See the Energy Performance of Buildings section at Communities and Local Government for more.
The Association of Home Information Pack Providers, Communities and Local Government, The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and the National Association of Estate Agents have produced a guide for estate agents. See the Publications page for more.
The National Association of Estate Agents also provides Pack training.
