Home information pack suspended by Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition (From Watford Observer)

Home information pack suspended by Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition

1:34pm Thursday 20th May 2010 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
• Comments(0)

People wishing to sell their homes in Watford will no longer have to spend hundreds of pounds on a controversial home information pack (hip) after it was scrapped by the government.

Community secretary Eric Pickles announced the suspension of the pack today, before it is abolished later this year.

Hips were introduced in August 2007, and it was hoped they would reduce the amount of time it took to buy and sell a home, by providing information first.

Richard John, head of residential properties at Matthew Arnold and Baldwin, said: “The HIP would typically cost anything between £200 to 400. Sellers are still required to provide the energy performance certificate, which costs between £30 and £70.

“It came in in 2007 and was generally seen as an unnecessary expense. The suspension means there will be less duplication, ensuring a quicker and more cost effective process.”

The pack contained an energy performance certificate, the seller's title from the land registry, a personal search and a water and drainage search.

Mr John, from the solicitors in Station Road, Watford, added: “If you decide to sell your property, all of a sudden there is one less barrier, removing a time delay and significant cost.”

“This will hopefully stimulate the housing market, meaning more people are likely to put their homes up for sale.”