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In This Guide

choosing an agent

Conveyancing

Holding viewings

Negotiation

Planning your sale

Prepare your home

Seller's Packs

   1. A brief history

   2. What they will contain

   3. Key benefits

   4. What the critics say

   5. Winners and losers

Selling at auction

Selling in Scotland

Selling privately

Selling your home

Using estate agents

Country Guides

All Countries:

Seller's Packs

What they will contain

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Even if we have all heard of them it's surprising how few people know what the packs will entail. The idea is simple. Sellers will provide potential buyers with the essential information they need when they view a property, without them having to pay for any of it.

The current trials are using a seller's pack containing a full survey and the entire local authority searches and other miscellaneous searches a potential buyer may require. Under the present system the responsibility of carrying these out falls to the buyer for any property they are seriously considering purchasing.

In effect the pack will serve the same purpose as a car log, detailing any present or potential problems with the property. While most of the information can be provided free of charge or for a fairly low sum of money, a survey most certainly cannot. The estimates of the cost for a seller's pack range wildly, from as little as £200 to a whopping £1000. We expect the average pack to set you back around £500.

Here is a quick rundown on what it is proposed will be contained in the packs:

  • A copy of the title deeds
  • Answers to standard preliminary questions from buyers' solicitors
  • Replies to local authority searches
  • Results of draining and mining searches
  • Copies of planning, listed building and building regulations consents as well as tree preservation orders
  • Surveyors report on the condition of the property (This is not the same as a survey)
  • Guarantees for any work carried out on the property
  • Copies of warranties and guarantees for new property
  • Receipts and bills for utilities and council tax and an energy efficiency assessment.
  • Fixtures and fittings list

Draft contract

For leasehold property there will be additional information regarding:

  • Service charge accounts
  • Property management accounts
  • Details regarding the management company (their memorandum and articles of association)
  • Insurance details and of course
  • Copy of the lease.
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