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Other Services

As well as providing conveyancing, KPS have a wealth of experience in other areas of legal service, some of which are detailed below.

The introduction of Home Information Packs

The Government is introducing Home Information Packs in England and Wales on 1 August 2007. They aim to take the stress out of buying and selling a home by providing key information upfront. Every Pack will include Energy Performance Certificates which, like fridges will provide A – G ratings on the energy efficiency of a home, plus advice on how to make further energy savings. The Packs will also include information such as searches and other legal documents. A Home Condition Report giving details on the condition of a property can also be included in the Packs on a voluntary basis.

When?

From 1 August 2007, anyone selling a property must provide potential buyers with a Home Information Pack. This is a set of documents providing important information about a property including energy efficiency, searches and evidence of title. The government will also be encouraging sellers to provide a new document called the Home Condition Report.

From 1 June 2007, if you are selling a property, myconveyancimg.com will be able to produce this pack for you. Contact us if you would like more information.

What does the Home Information Pack contain?

The Home Information Pack Regulations 2006 set out provisions on the “required” and “authorised” content of the Pack. Required documents must be included in the pack where appropriate and authorised documents may be included at the seller’s discretion.

The required documents are:

An index (i.e. a list of the contents of the Pack)
A sale statement (summarising terms of sale) Evidence of title
Standard searches (i.e. local authority enquiries and a drainage and water search) An Energy Performance Certificate
Where appropriate, commonhold information (including a copy of the commonhold community statement)
Where appropriate, leasehold information (including a copy of the lease, information on service charges and insurance)
Where appropriate, a New Homes Warranty
Where appropriate, a report on a home that is not physically complete
A Home Condition Report

The authorised documents include:

Guarantees and warranties
Other searches.

*The Regulations will be amended so that as from 1 June 2007 the Home Condition Report will be an authorised part of the Pack.

An authorised document means that sellers can use them to top up their Packs voluntarily to include additional material where they judge that to be of interest to prospective buyers. Although the Government has indicated it will make Home Condition Reports voluntary as from 1 June 2007, it strongly believes that these are likely to prove valuable to both sellers and buyers

What are the benefits of the Home Information Pack?

The Packs will directly address:

Consumer satisfaction – nearly nine out of 10 consumers are dissatisfied with the present process Transparency – at present, key information about the property only becomes available after terms of the sale have been agreed Sale success rates – 28 per cent of property sales fail after terms have been agreed Costs – failed transactions currently cost consumers over £350m a year Speed – transactions currently run at half the speed of the European average Reliability – 60 per cent of property sales are in chains. Delay or failure in one has a knock-on effect through the chain.

Other direct benefits for home buyers and sellers:

Consumer confidence – estate agents marketing homes with Home Information Packs will be required, for the first time, to belong to an approved redress scheme. This means more peace of mind and a better standard of service for consumers who will be able to complain to an independent industry body if they’re not happy with how they have been treated. First time buyers – will receive Home Information Packs for ‘free’, making it easier and less expensive for them to get their first foot onto the property ladder.

Personal Injury

We have an enviable reputation for success with personal injury claims, so if you have been involved in an accident that wasn’t your fault, or you have a dispute with an individual or a Business, then you may be entitled to compensation and we are here to help – and we have a no win no fee arrangement, so it won’t cost you anything whether you win or lose. Go to our specialist website to see if you have a claim.

Wills

Moving house or buying a new property is the ideal time to be thinking about making a Will or updating an existing Will to take account of your new circumstances – contact us and we can help to ensure that your personal affairs are in order.

Family Law

We also provide a variety of other family related legal services such as probate and divorce, and issues affecting children, so contact us now to see how we can help you.