Take care with home packs

12:58pm Tuesday 7th October 2008

ASHLEY King, managing director of Simply HIP, has warned estate agents of the dangers to them and their clients when they order low cost and substandard Home Information Packs.

“A recent investigation by Birmingham Trading Standards found that six out of 15 HIPs contained inaccurate, incomplete or missing information, clearly demonstrating the scale of the problem caused by unprofessional HIP providers and search organisations.

“Not all HIP Providers sign up to the HIP Code and agree to be regulated by the Property Codes Compliance Board, PCCB. As the price of HIPs has tumbled, there is growing evidence that small non-accredited HIP providers who are not covered by insurance are offering HIPs at prices too low to be sustained and cutting corners to stay in business,” he said. Mr King said to be wary of low cost HIPs that do not comply with the law because if the vendor buys one they will have just wasted their money.

“Buying cheap non-compliant HIPs leaves vendors and estate agents at risk of a £200 fine, having to take the property off the market until a new HIP is prepared, and having no way of making a complaint or getting their money back if the non accredited HIP provider ceases trading,” he said.