The Pack contains certain key
documents which you should look
out for and draw to the attention of both buyers and sellers.
The Sale Statement should provide some basic information about the sale, including:
-
The name
of the seller and the address of the property being sold
-
Whether
it is freehold or leasehold
-
Evidence
of title (whether the title is registered or unregistered)
The Pack will contain
either a stand alone Energy Performance Certificate or
a Home Condition Report
(which includes a separate Energy Performance Certificate). The
Energy Performance Certificate tells
you how energy efficient the home is on a scale of A-G. The most efficient homes, which should
have the lowest running costs, are in band A.
The Certificate also tells you, on a scale of A-G,
about the impact the home has on the environment. Better rated homes should have less
impact through Carbon Dioxide emissions. The average property in the UK is in Bands D-E for both ratings.
Recommendations are included in the Certificate about ways to improve the home’s energy
efficiency to save you money and help the environment.
When included, the optional
Home Condition Report provides information about the condition the home is in and includes an
Energy Performance Certificate. The Home
Condition Report rates the condition of each part of the home on a scale of 1-3 (where 1 is best) – letting the
seller and buyer know if any repairs are needed and, if so, whether they are serious.
Buyers and sellers can rely on the Home Condition Report. The Home Inspectors who
prepare them are qualified, accredited and insured. For most properties, the Pack
should include official
copies from Land Registry of the Property Register and
the Title Plan:
-
The Property
Register provides a brief description of the property and whether it is freehold or leasehold.
For leasehold properties, the number of years remaining on the lease should be
stated.
-
A title which is described in the Property Register as “absolute” (for either freehold or leasehold)
or “good” (which applies to leasehold only) should have the best classes of title. If the title
is described as “qualified” or “posessory” you may wish to seek legal advice as to whether
someone other than the registered owner has a claim to the property or part of it.
You or your client may wish to look at the Title Plan to check that it shows the boundaries of the property as
you understand them to be.
-
The Proprietorship Register states who is currently registered as
owning the property. If there are other documents referred to in these registers,
you or your legal adviser may be able to obtain full copies or summaries of these documents
from the Land Registry. cont
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