This section of the site contains information about the introduction of Home Information Packs (HIPs), the preparation of which becomes a legal requirement for sellers from June 2007. Also, you can click here to hear about the campaign group SPLINTA, from Phil Spencer and Kirstie Allsopp, from Channel 4's 'Location, Location, Location'.

THE PERFECT HIP (Home Information Pack)

Home Information Pack solutions from Lewes Smith

Since 1 August 2007 if you want to sell a property, you have to order a Home Information Pack (“HIP”) before placing the property on the market.

It is an offence for the seller and agent not to commission a HIP before the property is placed on the market.

There are exceptions; for example if the property is substantially commercial, is let or is sold privately (i.e. without being marketed).

The date for requiring all the HIP documents to be available before marketing commences on 1st January 2009.

A HIP for a freehold property comprises the following:-

HIP index (i.e. a list of what it contains).
Sale statement (a document stating whether the property is freehold or leasehold and whether it has a registered or unregistered title).
Title information and plan from the Land Registry or a copy of your title deeds (if unregistered).
Local search result.
Drainage and water search result
Energy performance certificate..

A HIP for a leasehold property will include other documents (eg a copy of the lease).

At Lewes Smith we have a simple HIP solution.

If you ask us to prepare a HIP for you we will charge you for the components for the HIP and an administration fee of Ł100.00 (plus VAT) payable in advance.The administration fee will be deducted from our final bill, if you instruct us to act for you in the sale.

We will also ask you for Ł350.00 on account to cover the cost of the HIP components. (This amount may be higher if you are selling in London as the London Boroughs charge more for their search fees).

We will provide a written estimate for the legal charges for dealing with the sale (and purchase if you are buying).

Once you confirm that wish to instruct us and make your payment on account, we can order the HIP and then tell the agents so that the property can be marketed.

Local Searches – Official or Personal?

For the most part personal searches remain a controversial issue for a Buyer’s Solicitor. The position on this is now more complex than in the days before HIPS. Essentially, we need to know whether you would like us to obtain an official or personal search.

To help you decide we have summarised some of the advantages and disadvantages:-

	ADVANTAGES	DISADVANTAGES
Personal search	Cheaper than an official search	Not acceptable to all solicitors/lenders.
	Faster	Possible delays during the transaction if the solicitor decides to commission an official search.
Official search	Acceptable to all lenders and solicitors	Potential delay in supplying the HIP and possible delay in marketing the property.
	Provides more detailed and comprehensive information	More expensive than a personal search

When instructing us, please let us know what type of search you would like us to commission to be incorporated as part of your HIP.

Buying – HIP interpretation

Most Buyers do not ask the selling agent for a copy of the HIP before putting an offer on the property.

If you are thinking of buying and want a professional opinion on the HIP for the property you are buying simply let us have a copy and we will prepare an initial basic report on the HIP for you. We will charge a a fixed fee payable in advance of Ł100.00 plus VAT for a freehold property and Ł200.00 plus VAT for a leasehold property. If you then instruct us on the purchase, we will deduct that fee from our final bill.

Why use Lewes Smith for your HIP and sale

By choosing us to act you will have the benefit of a team of experienced property professionals (Legal Executives) led by a Solicitor with over 35 years of conveyancing experience and dealing with the property market (33 of which have been spent working in Lewes).

The aim of our firm is provide an individual, independent and personal service with total integrity whilst meeting the demands of the modern property market by using advanced technology in every aspect of the process - from commissioning the HIP to completion of the sale/purchase.