Insurance News Archive
'Postcode lottery blights Hips'
Property owners face a "postcode lottery" over the cost of home information packs (Hips), a consumer body has found.
In a recent investigation by Which?, researchers were quoted prices of between £234 to £529 when they asked estate agents in England and Wales how much a Hip would cost.
Nick Cheek, assistant editor for the charity, said that while charges for compiling Hips vary dramatically across the country, prices even differ within the same areas.
The six estate agents in London contacted by Which? charged £351 but in the Oxford/Abingdon area quotes ranged from £351 pounds to £529, and in Swansea prices ranged from £234 to £499, he explained.
"You are talking about huge disparity not just across the country but actually within areas ... that is something to be worried," Mr Cheek added.
Some agents contacted by Which? had a flat fee for the packs, while others quoted on the type of property or whether it was leasehold or freehold.
Hips were introduced in December 2007 for all properties marketed for sale in England and Wales.
27 Mar 2008
