Beware of sub-standard Hips

Home Information Packs (Hips) have failed to win the heatrs and minds of homesellers because of their limited content and cost.

This situation will hardly be improved by a recent warning from the Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG) that some HIP providers are failing to include the proper documentation.

It appears that cases have come to light where Hip providers are enclosing their own photocopies of key documents contained in the pack.

The documents have related to property title, which according to Hip regulations should be official copies obtained from the Land Registry.

The Law Society has warned homeowners to be vigilant when arranging a Hip, stating: “Hip providers do not understand, or choose not to understand, the rules.”

Paul Marsh, the society’s vice-president explains: “The result is that sellers and buyers are being short-changed with sub-standard Hips that will quite rightly be thrown in the bin by the buyer’s solicitor.”

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