Bring back parts of HIPs, says legal firm

Monday 2nd August 2010
HIPs were not all bad, a firm of solicitors has said.

Knights, a legal firm in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, said that some of the pre-marketing elements were useful and should still be put in place.

Graham Dorman, a partner in the firm, said HIPs were helpful in making the housing market work.


He said: “Some of the HIPs regulations were undoubtedly onerous and simply increased sellers’ costs, but they did force them to focus on what buyers would be looking for and the questions they might ask before putting their homes on the market.

“Home owners who are planning to sell their homes should follow the more sensible aspects of the HIPs regime, even though they are no longer compulsory. These
will help sellers to present their properties to best advantage and ensure that buyers do not encounter any unwelcome surprises which they could then use to justify withdrawing from a transaction just when it is regarded as a ‘done deal’ by the seller and estate agent.”

He said sellers should address eight specific issues, including planning and Building Regulations permissions; title; rights of way and access; and Land Registry registration.