Home Condition Reports (HCRs)

Initially, the Government intended that a Home Condition Report (HCR) would need to be included within a Home Information Pack (HIP). Because of a shortage of Home Inspectors, the HCR is now only optional for inclusion in the pack. The Government hinted strongly, in March 2007, that they were prepared to reinstate the mandatory requirement for HCRs to be included with HIPs as soon as Home Inspectors were sufficient!

What is a Home Condition Report?

Why is a HCR Important?

Results of reports carried out for HM Government indicate that almost 30% of purchasing transactions fail between offer acceptance and exchange of contracts and that in over 40% of these cases this is due to survey related problems. In other words, after agreeing on a price, purchasers (or their mortgage lenders) have instructed a survey on the property and discovered problems. In most cases, the purchaser has attempted to renegotiate the price but not been succesful so the deal has collapsed.

The Government believes that the inclusion of a Home Condition Report (HCR) in the Home Information Pack will help to avoid this type of failure because the purchaser will be provided with similar information to a survey report before the price negotiation starts. There is therefore less likelihood of renegotiation, later!

The Government's belief is founded on the results of similar findings in both Denmark and New South Wales, Australia. The introduction of surveys, supplied by sellers, has reduced the numbers of transactions which have failed.

Who needs a HCR?

How do I get a HCR?

Get a Quote for a HCR or get a quote for a HCR and HIP (Read more about HIPs)

See a Sample HCR