Putting HIPs in Order


It amuses me when I read in the press such descriptions of home information packs (HIPs) as being a 'new challenge' or 'exciting development'.



Having read the 2006 HIP regulations, such as they are, I can assure readers that they are not challenging or exciting. What we will have to do after 1 June 2007 is exactly what we do now but in a different order.



HIPs are basically in four parts. First is the index. Yes, that is a list of documents that follow. OK so far? Second is the sale statement. This is basically what we put on page one of a sale contract now. Easy? Third is the 'required documents', which you must have, like official copies and local search. Sound familiar'? Fourth is the 'authorised documents', which you may have like a home condition report. Not much chance of that one. And that is it.



I prepared the first and second parts of a HIP from scratch for my own house (freehold) and it took me about 20 minutes. The next one will take about ten minutes. Longer for leaseholds of course. So will someone please explain why we need someone to do it for us? It is what we do.



Rodney Goodson, Norwich