Homeowners must make HIPs a top priority says Law Society

18 January 2008

The Law Society is calling on homeowners to make Home Information Packs (HIPs) a top priority when putting their property on the market or risk being unable to sell.

Paul Marsh, Law Society Vice President, says:

“It is in a seller’s best interests to ensure they have a complete and correct HIP. The whole point of HIPs is to give buyers the necessary information to enable them to make an informed decision about whether or not to buy.”

Since the Government rolled HIPs out to all residential properties from 14 December 2007, estate agents, or anyone else marketing a property, are under a legal obligation to provide one. Failure to produce a HIP could result in a fine of £200 if it is put on the market without one.

HIPs contain a number of documents, many of which are compulsory, including an evidence of title document, an Energy Performance Certificate and standard searches.

The Society advises that due to the often complex legal nature of the documents sellers should seek a solicitor’s assistance when putting one together.

Paul Marsh says: “Solicitors are the professionals best placed to provide good quality HIPs to assist in the sale of the property. They have the necessary legal expertise to guide you through the whole process.”

“Best of all, a HIP produced by a solicitor is portable – once produced it can be used again, even if a seller changes estate agent while the property is on the market, or they decide to sell privately.”