Emmetts Solicitors Limited is regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. No: 522999 Registered at Companies House No: 06962346 Directors: Lindsay Emmett Richard Emmett
Home Information Packs: what you need to know
Since 14 December 2007 every home put on the market, no matter what size, must have a Home Information Pack. It brings together valuable information at the start of the process - such as a sale statement, local searches and evidence of title - which could save you time and stress. The Pack also includes an Energy Performance Certificate that contains advice on how to cut CO2 emissions and fuel bills.
What is in the HIP?
A HIP pack will contain:
The terms of sale
Title documents
Replies to local authority searches
Planning consents, agreements and building control certificates
A seller's property information form
Copies of any warranties and guarantees
Energy performance certificate
Additional information about leasehold properties
What are HIPs for?
The idea behind HIPs was that they would speed up the sale process.
At present, there is little evidence that they have achieved this aim. What they have undoubtedly done is increase the cost of selling your home.
To see some of the issues being discussed by Kirtstie Allsop on BBC Breakfast click here
What is clear is that HIPs are here and it looks like they're here to stay for the time being so regardless of their questionable merit, if you want to sell your house you need a HIP.
How much does a HIP cost?
The Emmetts Solicitors HIP costs £299.99 + VAT
This is the same price whether your property is freehold or leasehold.
There is only one supplement to note. If your property is unregistered, there is an additional fee of £75.00 plus VAT.
The vast majority of properties are now registered and therefore in most cases the price to you of obtaining the HIP is £299.99 + VAT.
Home Information Pack (HIP) - £299.99 + VAT
Pay for HIP - £299.99 + VAT = £352.48
Processing charge: included
Total deducted from your card: £352.48
Is there any difference between HIPS?
Yes!
When HIPS were introduced, many "HIP providers" flooded the market aiming to get a piece of the new HIP action.
Some of these providers were efficient and reputable. Others were not.
Problems reported with some HIPS providers were missing information, inadequate information, searches that would not be accepted by mortgage companies and prices "creeping up" after instruction. In some cases, the failure to obtain a good HIP will severely delay and hamper the sale of your property.
At Emmetts Solicitors, we have not rushed to provide a HIP or to enter into partnerships with HIP providers. We waited until April 2008 to see which HIP providers were good and which were not.
The partner that we have chosen to provide our clients with HIPS is based on our experience of who the good HIP providers are. We then chose the most competitive of the good HIP providers.
Accordingly, although we are aware of HIP providers who will provide a HIP for less than £299.00 plus VAT, we have not come across excellent HIP providers meeting our service criteria who will provide a HIP for less than £299.00 plus VAT.
While you are advised to shop around to see what deals are available for HIPs, the consequence of getting a bad HIP can be increased cost and severe delay.
To purchase a proven HIP from Emmetts Solicitors, that meets our strict criteria, click the button below.
Home Information Pack (HIP) - £299.99 + VAT
Pay for HIP - £299.99 + VAT = £352.48
Processing charge: included
Total deducted from your card: £352.48
Do I have to use one of your HIPs if I instruct you to deal with the sale of my property?
No. In many cases, the HIP pack has already been obtained when we are instructed to deal with a sale.
We are happy to deal with your conveyance regardless of who provided the HIP pack. Our conveyancers like dealing with the Emmetts Solicitors HIP pack because they know that it is a high quality HIP that will not lead to delay or cost for you.
Many HIPS are fine and will not lead to delay or additional cost. If problems arise with the HIP that you have obtained, our fee earners will resolve the issues in the quickest manner possible.
For details of our fees for the sale of a property click here
