HiNOW - Home Inspection Now

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Home condition reports HCR

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HiNow - Home Inspection Now - is a team of RICS certified professionals, based in Fordingbridge, Hampshire, focused on providing the Home Condition Reports (HCR) and Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) which are required in the Home Information Pack (HIP) to be implemented as part of the Home selling process from June 1st 2007.

Moving home can be a stressful time. The new Home Information Pack will help streamline the process.
HiNow produces the reports that form a major portion of the pack.

Our aim is to provide a fast and efficient professional service
with a 48 hour turnround of the HCR and EPC

Why Choose Us
We are a locally based professionals, with many years experience of surveying local building types, including cob, timber, thatch and system builds and a good understanding of the local geological and topographical features likely to affect building integrity.

Founders
Christopher Green - Christopher Green and Associates - Chartered Surveyors
Henry Hammond - Edutext Design and Surveying Services

We Offer
• Professional and friendly service
• Fully Licensed and Qualified Inspectors
• Inspections conducted promptly to a high standard
• Competitive pricing

HCR including EPC

Currently 28% of all property transactions fail because the buyer pulls out, often after reading a survey report that reveals something they had not planned for.

We believe that sellers who commission the HCR and EPC together will be in a much better position to sell their house quickly.

Potential buyers will look more favorably on a property that has a HCR and in time will come to expect one as the norm.

DOMESTIC ENERGY ASSESSMENT

The Inspection and Report
During an inspection the Home Inspector will record the key information that affects the energy efficiency of a property. This data is then used to calculate the energy efficiency and environmental impact rating (based on CO2 emissions) of the property.

The result is presented on an easy to read scale, similar to EU appliance efficiency ratings and will provide prospective purchasers with an assessment of the property's energy consumption together with a list of practical measures that can be taken to cut fuel bills and CO2 emissions.

A guide price is given against each measure and the ratings scale also shows the potential energy efficiency rating and reduction in damage to the environment if the recommendations are undertaken. Download Sample Energy report DCLG

Potential Fuel Cost Savings
The Energy Saving Trust estimates that by following the proposals in the EPC the average home owner will save £300 a year on fuel bills. It is also likely that the information could be used to support the growth of green mortgages and other incentives, so the EPC could become vitally important in the future.

Background to the Energy Performance certificates

In 1997 many countries around the world recognised the growing problems of ever increasing levels of greenhouse gases and agreed to take action to reduce this problem. These countries signed up to the Kyoto Protocol which agreed a set of measures to reduce C02 emissions.

As buildings are responsible for almost 50 per cent of all energy consumed in the UK, it is vital that we make our buildings more energy efficient. At the forecast rate of building a large proportion of current buildings will still be in use in 2050, so improving the performance of existing buildings is a particular priority.

The Department of Communities and Local Government is leading the introduction of a number of energy and cost savings measures to make all buildings more efficient. The measures are being applied across all European Union countries and are in line with the European Directive for the Energy Performance of Buildings (EPBD).

European Legislation

The requirement for an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) has been set by European legislation. Under this legislation as from 1 Junr 2007 it will be mandatory for anyone selling a domestic property to have an EPC comiled. Rented properties will also require an EPC in the near future.

Domestic properties account for approximately one third of all of the UK's carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions

HCR including EPC

Sellers can top up their Packs voluntarily to include full Home Condition Reports.

These reports are based on a professional survey of the property and will be authorised documents.

Sellers offering full Home Condition Reports will be more likely to benefit from swifter sales and suffer fewer transaction failures, as accepted offers are much less likely to be re-opened as a result of new information coming to light.

The Government is working with stakeholders to facilitate the take-up of the full Home Condition Report.

Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG)

HOME CONDITION REPORT

The Home Condition Report (HCR) is an objective report on the condition of a property that can be relied on by all parties involved, the seller, buyer and lender.

The report is similar in depth to the current Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Homebuyers Survey and Valuation (HSV), although the HCR will not include a valuation for sale but will include a rebuilding cost for insurance purposes. It will include the Energy Performance Certificate

The report will be written by fully qualified Home Inspectors in non-technical language that all parties can understand and will contain a rating scale of 1 to 3 for elements of the building to highlight problems with the property.

Providing this Report upfront will not only give sellers a competitive advantage but will ensure buyers have the confidence to commit to the property immediately an offer is put in, with the offer already reflecting the property’s condition – something they are unable to do if they still have to wait for a survey to be completed.

This means that the time taken to complete a sale should be reduced, as the legal documents will already be in the Home Information Pack. Inclusion of the Home Condition Report will ensure that the buyer is not faced with nasty surprises later in the buying process, which could threaten the sale.

The report tells you:
About the construction and condition of the home on the date it was inspected and whether more enquiries or investigations are needed.

The report tells you about any defects that need urgent attention or are serious. It also tells you about things that need further investigation to prevent damage to the structure of the building.

It does not tell you about any minor defects that would not normally have any effect on a buyer’s decision to buy.

The report gives ‘condition ratings’ to the major parts of the main building and permenent outbuildings.

The report includes the mandatory Energy Cerformance certificate.

The report is divided into eight sections:
Section A Explains the report content and extent of inspection. Defines conditiion ratings.
Section B Provides information about the property. Summarises condition ratings applied to the property. Provides insurance reinstatement costs.
Section C Legal/conveyancing issues.
Section D External elements - chimneys, roof coverings, gutters, walls, windows, cladding and external decoration.
Section E Roof structure, ceilings, internal walls, floors, built in fitments, decorations and internal woodwork.
Section F Services - gas, electricity, heating, water and drainage.
Section G Grounds and outbuildings.
Section H Energy Performance Certificate

Marketing Advantage
Providing this Report upfront will not only give sellers a competitive advantage but will ensure buyers have the confidence to commit to the property immediately an offer is put in, with the offer already reflecting the property’s condition – something they are unable to do if they still have to wait for a survey to be completed.

Benefits of an HCR
The HCR gives better information upon which an estate agents can base their marketing strategy.
Delays after offer acceptance can be avoided because the timing of the report allows for further investigations during marketing.
Evidence of repairs can be directly linked to the HCR's findings.
The HCR shows the estate agent and potential buyers that the seller is serious about selling their home.
The HCR demonstrates that the estate agent and seller are not trying to hide anything.
Buyers will be more receptive to properties with an HCR.
Lenders are legally entitled to rely on an HCR so the provisions of an HCR will ease and speed up mortgage applications.
The potential for sales falling through/difficult negotiations are reduced.
An HCR will speed up the process between offer acceptance and exchange of contracts.
An HCR impresses potential clients and shows progressive thinking.

As a seller, why should I comission an HCR?

An HCR is a very detailed but easy to understand inspection report on the condition of your property. If your property is in good condition the HCR will confirm this fact to all prospective buyers. Many buyers will not know that insignificant cracks in plasterwork are caused by the plaster shrinking as it dries and not because of subsidence. Prospective buyers can take on board the comments in the HCR before viewing your property and thus allay any fears they may have when they view the property.

This should resul in more viewings of your property which should lead to a quicker sale, less negotiation over the asking price and less stress for you to endure.

The Energy Performance Certificate is an integral part of the HCR. It is very cost effective to commission an HCR in lieu of the mandatory EPC at little additional cost.

As a buyer, why should HCRs be of interest to me?

Buying a house is one of the largest single investments most of us will ever make but many home buyers rely only on a mortgage valuation report. A mortgage valuation inspection is not a survey it is merely a valuation carried out on behalf of the mortgage company to ensure the property offers sufficient security. Thus a mortgage valuation will only list items that materially affect the value of the property, leaving other defects that are of greater importance to purchasers unmentioned.

If the property you are considering buying does not have an HCR it would be advisable to insist on the property having an HCR as a condition of sale. After all, if you are selling a home as well you could face two sets of survey costs but it's not fair for you to carry double the financial burden just for being sensible.

To ensure the investment you are considerng will be sound either insist on the seller having an HCR carried out or, alternatively, we can prepare an HCR on your behalf (and for your sole use) and provide you with up-to-date information to enable you to make an informed decision.

Avoiding Surprises

The Government believes that producing a condition report at the beginning of the sales process will help to prevent the problems that are often encountered at the end, when a survey show issues that the buyer was unaware of.

The Government Department responsible for introducing Home Information Packs estimates that around £350m is wasted each and every year from failed residential property transactions.

Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG)

THE HOME INFORMATION PACK

If you're buying or selling a home from 1 June 2007, you will need to know about Home Information Packs.

Sellers: you will need to have a Pack before you put your home onto the market
Buyers: the Pack will offer you essential information about the property you wish to buy, for free.

A Home Information Pack contains:
* An Energy Performance Certificate which tells you how energy efficient the property is
* Other compulsory documents, such as an index of contents, a sale statement, searches and evidence of title
* Optional documents, such as the Home Condition Report

Home Information Packs Will Address:
Consumer dissatisfaction - nearly nine out of 10 consumers are dissatisfied with the present process

Lack of transparency - at present key information about the property only becomes available after terms of the sale have been agreed

High transaction failure rate - 28% of property sales fail after terms have been agreed

High costs of failed transactions for consumers - over £350m lost a year

Slow transaction process - twice the European average

Uncertainty – 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.

Sellers can top up their Packs voluntarily to include full Home Condition Reports. These reports are based on a professional survey of the property and will be authorised documents. Sellers offering full Home Condition Reports will be more likely to benefit from swifter sales and suffer fewer transaction failures, as accepted offers are much less likely to be re-opened as a result of new information coming to light. The Government is working with stakeholders to facilitate the take-up of the full Home Condition Report.

There are few exemptions from this new law:

New builds
Commercial Premises and
Right to buy.

Top-up HCR

Sellers can top up their Packs voluntarily to include full Home Condition Reports.

These reports are based on a professional survey of the property and will be authorised documents.

The Government is working with stakeholders to facilitate the take-up of the full Home Condition Report.

OUR SERVICES AND COVERAGE
If you're buying or selling a home from 1 June 2007, you will need to know about Home Information Packs.

Sellers: you will need to have a Pack before you put your home onto the market
Buyers: the Pack will offer you essential information about the property you wish to buy, for free.

Home Information Packs Will Address:
Consumer dissatisfaction - nearly nine out of 10 consumers are dissatisfied with the present process

Lack of transparency - at present key information about the property only becomes available after terms of the sale have been agreed

High transaction failure rate - 28% of property sales fail after terms have been agreed

High costs of failed transactions for consumers - over £350m lost a year

Slow transaction process - twice the European average

Uncertainty – 60 per cent of property sales are in chains. Delay or failure in one has a knock-on effect through the chain

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.

There are few exemptions from this new law:

New builds
Commercial Premises and
Right to buy.

Cover

Our offices are located in Fordingbridge, Hampshire.

We cover the major part of SP, SO and BH postcodes

CONTACT
Please complete the Enquiry form and Submit and we will get back to you within a few hours.

Alternatively

Call 01425 658162
or email Info@Hinow.co.uk
or write to
Christopher Green and Associates
33 Salisbury Street
Fordingbridge
Hampshire
SP6 1AB

FAQs

What is a Home Information Pack (HIP)
From June 2007 the law will require anyone selling their home in England & Wales to put together a Home Information Pack for potential home buyers. The Pack will bring together the key information required when buying and selling a home, plus an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) and a voluntary Home Condition Report (HCR). For more details please visit the official government website at www.homeinformationpacks.gov.uk

What is a Home Condition Report (HCR)
The Home Condition Report is an objective report on the condition of the property on the date it was inspected. The report will be in a standard format using plain English and will give 'condition ratings’ to the major parts of the main building. The HCR is a voluntary document and can be relied upon by buyers, sellers and lenders alike. Click here to download a sample HCR in pdf format.

What is an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
The information contained within the Energy Performance Certificate will enable buyers and sellers to get A-G ratings on their homes similar to fridge ratings as well as a list of practical measures to cut their fuel bills and carbon emissions at the same time. The EPC is mandatory and must be the first document in the HIP after the index. Click here to download a sample EPC in pdf format.

What will the HCR contain
The main purpose of the report will be to assess the property’s overall condition and functionality and to highlight any defects in the property that would be considered desirable or prudent to rectify or that may be hazardous to health and safety. It will identify any matters that require further investigation but minor defects that would not normally affect the sale of a property will not be highlighted. A valuation of the property will not be included, but a buildings reinstatement cost for insurance purposes will be.

Why should I bother having an HCR when it's voluntary
Sellers who commission an HCR on their property will be in a much better position to sell quickly. Potential buyers will look more favourably on a property that has an HCR and in time, will come to expect one before making an offer. Anyone who has had their chain collapse several weeks or months after a 'bad' survey will know the frustration it causes. Having an HCR at the point of marketing will help to eliminate this problem by allowing buyers to see the report before committing to the transaction. Many owners are unaware of defects in their homes and the HCR will also give them the opportunity to make repairs and to include any guarantees as part of the HIP.

As a seller, why should I comission an HCR?

This should result in more viewings of your property which should lead to a quicker sale, less negotiation over the asking price and less stress for you to endure.

The Energy Performance Certificate is an integral part of the HCR. It is very cost effective to commission an HCR in lieu of the mandatory EPC at little additional cost.

As a buyer, why should HCRs be of interest to me?

Who can produce the HCR and EPC
Home Inspectors who are registered with a government approved Home Inspections Certification Scheme and who hold the ABBE Diploma in Home Inspection are allowed to produce both the HCR and EPC. Domestic Energy Assessors (DEA) who are accredited to a similar scheme are also able to produce the EPC, but not the HCR. At Hinow, we are able to offer both products.

What’s wrong with the current home buying and selling process?
Research shows that the current home buying and selling process:
• is slow by international standards. Currently, in England and Wales, it takes an average of eight weeks to sell a home. In other countries it takes an average of four weeks.
• is wasteful and inefficient resulting in high rates of failed transactions. More than one in four transactions currently fails between offer acceptance and exchange of contracts.
• is particularly prone to delays and other problems during the period between offer acceptance and exchange of contracts.
• causes considerable frustration and stress. Almost nine out ten consumers are dissatisfied with it.
Currently buyers and sellers do not have access to key information to inform their initial decisions. This means that buyers and sellers are negotiating and agreeing terms without the benefit of all the facts, which often causes problems later in the transaction, or causes it to fail altogether.

How will the Home Information Pack help?
The Pack will bring together at the very start of the process important information which at present is collected piecemeal in the days and weeks after the offer has been accepted. This will:
• ensure that buyers and sellers are better prepared and have as much information as possible right from the start
• secure faster mortgage offers and search replies
• reduce delays and uncertainties
• help address a number of problems caused by delays, including gazumping and problems in chains.
How much will a Home Information Pack, including a Home Condition Report cost, and who will pay?
We estimate that the cost of preparing a pack for an average home will be of the order of £600-£700. But:
• these are not additional costs, as most of the changes involve doing the same things as in the current home buying process but more efficiently and at an earlier stage.
• The Home Information Pack will transfer responsibility for obtaining local searches and a home condition report from the buyer to the seller. But, since the vast majority of sellers are also buyers these costs would usually be balanced by corresponding savings and benefits.
• We expect that most sellers will not have to pay up front for the pack, so Home Information Packs should not act as a brake on properties coming to the market.
• Market forces will keep prices low for consumers and those who are pricing Home Condition Reports and Home Information Packs at a premium will lose out to those who don’t.
• Another factor is that at least £350 million is wasted each year by consumers on aborted transactions under the current process. The Home Information Pack will reduce substantially the number of failed transactions and hence these wasted costs.
When will sellers be required to pay for the preparation of a Home Information Pack?
Industry expectations are that the seller will not have to pay the full costs up front - in most cases these will be deferred until completion of the sale, like estate agents fees are now.

Won’t the packs be open to fraud or misrepresentation by sellers?
Caveat emptor will apply as now. A buyer’s conveyancer will be responsible for checking relevant documents. These will mostly contain much the same information as those used in the process now, with the exception of the home condition report. Home Condition Reports will be provided by a qualified person who is a member of an approved Certification Scheme. Their reports will be stored on a central databank and buyers will be able to obtain copies from that source. Buyers and their advisers may obtain copies from a Certification Scheme Home Condition Report register to ensure that the copies they have been provided with by the seller are correct.

How can I get hold of a Home Information Pack?
Home Information Pack providers can be found through high street traders such as lenders and estate agents, through national, local and online advertising or via a public register of Home Inspectors, which will become available towards the end of 2006.

Can sellers assemble their own pack?
Yes.