HIPs to be improved with new questionnaire
by Gill Montia
The Government wants to improve Home Information Packs (HIPs) to reduce the likelihood of problems emerging well into the sales process.
Under the proposals, HIPS could include a property information questionnaire that would relate to such issues as building work carried out, energy and utility suppliers, parking arrangements and Council Tax banding.
A consultation has been launched to establish what changes are needed to make the buying and selling process easier.
It will consider what information is important to buyers and whether it is easy for sellers to provide this without professional help.
The consultation closes on 30th September and if the recommendations are accepted the new questionnaire will become part of the HIP from 1st January 2009.
Improvements are also planned for HIPs on leasehold properties with plans for the cost of ground rent, service charges and buildings insurance to be included.
Scotland is introducing its own version of the HIP in December of this year and it will contain a property questionnaire along these lines.
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