Hands on Hips

P12/FM24 - Hands on Hips

Since 14 December last year, it has been compulsory for all sellers to provide a Hip (Home information pack). The pack bundles together information for prospective buyers. It must include details that will be needed for any sale to take place, such as a sale statement, evidence of ownership and standard searches (which check for any development plans or restrictions that might affect the property. It also includes the recently introduced energy performance certificate, which rates a home for its energy efficiency.

Hips cost, on average, between £234 and £529 and are required for all homes put up for sale in England and Wales (they are not needed in Northern Ireland).

However, there are serious question-marks over the quality of the information and whether a report has a lifetime of more than 6 months.

What to consider when getting a hip

Searching – you can find a provider online, or by asking your estate agent or solicitor. Providers registered with the Hip Code have a complaints procedure and insurance for negligence.

Shelf life – check if your provider will update any part of your pack if you fail to sell your home within 6 months.

Free hips – If estate agents quote a Hip as free or included in the commission price, check what that means. They may want you to pay if you switch agents or remove the property from the market.

Inspection – Ask the inspector whether you can lift up boards or remove panels to help them get a more accurate assessment.

Certificates – Supply the inspector with any certificates that show you have had work carried out that has improved your home’s energy efficiency.

Visit www.homeinformationpacks.gov.uk for further details. The Council for the National Land Information Service website (www.c-nlis.org.uk) has a guide about standard searches to help consumers.

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This web-site was last updated on 17/01/2012

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