Home Information Packs (HIPS)
Why instructing a solicitor to provide your HIP is the best option
From June 1 2007 you will not be able to sell your property without a Home
Information Pack (HIP) and your estate agent could face a £200 fine and be
forced to remove your property from the market if you fail to produce one.
Given the importance of a HIP it is essential that you choose the correct HIP
provider.
Essentially the HIP is a legal document that can be handled easily and
efficiently by your conveyancer. Your estate agent will no doubt also offer you
a HIP but instructing them to manage your HIP could cause a number of problems.
For instance, if you instruct your estate agent to manage your HIP but later
become dissatisfied with the service provided, it could be difficult for you to
switch estate agents and another estate agent may not be happy to accept your
existing agent's HIP, which will leave you with very limited options.
In addition, whilst some estate agents may tell you they will provide you
with a HIP for free, this is unlikely to be the case, and you may find you are
liable for the cost if you wish to take the HIP to another estate agent.
However, by allowing Stanley de Leon to handle your HIP you will have both
the security of knowing that it is in the hands of a locally recognised firm of
solicitors that will provide a HIP which can be easily transported to different
estate agents and will give you the flexibility to market your property with the
agent of your choice.
HIPs contain a large amount of complex, legal information and solicitors are
best placed to prepare and interpret these packs.
A HIP will have to contain: -
- Details of the title to the property
- Local and water searches
- Details of leasehold information
- An energy certificate
A HIP may contain
- Other searches
- Commentary on legal title
- Replies to enquiries and fixtures and fittings lists
The cost of HIPs
Fees will vary depending on the local authority you are under, but as a
guide, costs are likely to be around £500. Whilst this may seem expensive, it is
important to remember that if you are also buying a property, you will not have
to pay for the searches that you would have otherwise been liable for.
Our HIP Service:
- Is fully compliant with HIP legislation
- Give you confidence there will be no unnecessary delays
- Is produced by your own legally qualified solicitors
- Is prepared quickly and reliably
- Is competitively priced
- Is available with payment finance terms
- Is flexible enabling you to choose the options you want to suite the
property you are selling
We can provide you with a top quality HIP service that is easy to use. Please
contact us if you have any questions, or for details on how we can prepare your
HIP on 01707 657277 or by email and let us help you and your
estate agent market your property quickly and efficiently.
