Insurance News Archive

Home buyers to be helped with Hips

Homeowners looking to sell their properties following the imminent introduction of Home Information Packs (Hips) could be set to benefit from a number of estate agents offering them for free.

The first residential estate agent to offer the packs at no charge after their June implementation date is Hamptons International.

According to Mark Anderson, managing director of residential agency at the group, many people looking to sell their property would be concerned about the introduction of the packs, causing them to put their house on the market.

For those people for whom this was not feasible, the group has offered to pay the cost of the pack, expected to be between £300 and £1,000, "within a timeframe which suits them".

He added: "In addition, we wanted to help manage any client concern over what needs to be included in a Hip and ensure the highest quality service and expertise is made available to them."

Mr Anderson said that the introduction of the packs, which will compel property owners looking to sell their home to compile a dossier of information on it, would be "one of the most fundamental changes to the way property is bought and sold in the UK".

18 Apr 2007