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Home Information Packs (HIPS) from Poole Townsend Estate Agents, Cumbria, UK

In June, 2007, new legislation came into effect requiring anybody putting their house for sale on the market in the UK to order a Home Information Pack or HIP. As of June 2008, sellers will need a complete HIP prepared for their home before they can put their house up for sale.

The logic behind the requirement for HIPs is that home buyers will have crucial information about a property earlier in the buying process, thereby reducing the number of delays and transaction failures caused by problems being discovered in surveys and searches.

With a specialist HIP Advisor in every branch, when you market your home through Poole Townsend estate agents in Cumbria, you can rest assured that we will produce a valid HIP which contains all of the following mandatory information:

1. Index - a list of all the documents contained in the HIP
2. EPC - the Energy Performance Certificate outlines how energy efficient a home is by rating it on a scale of A-G with A being the most efficient. Most UK houses currently fall into the D-E bands.
3. Sale statement - basic details about the house such as the address, whether the property is a freehold, leasehold or commonhold, whether it is a vacant possession and information about whether the property has been registered with the Land Registry
4. Standard searches - local land charges, planning information, information about drainage and water services
5. Evidence of title - proof that the seller is legally allowed to sell the property

Where required, Poole Townsend will also assemble the necessary documents for leasehold properties explaining the terms of the leasehold such as a copy of the lease and a document outlining any additional regulations. We can, in addition, produce optional documents such as other searches which may be relevant to the area such as a mining search or a Home Condition Report. The Home Condition Report, while not required, does provide vital information on the condition of your home and can be relied upon legally as an accurate document. Sellers can use the document to make any necessary repairs that may put off buyers, and buyers can use the document to calculate any additional expenses they may accrue when moving into a new property as part of the upkeep.

Buyers can request a copy of the HIP at any point and should check to see that all the documents are in order and make use of the information provided. Sellers are entitled to charge for copying and postage.

When you instruct Poole Townsend as your estate agent in Cumbria, we will ensure that you understand all the legal requirements for a Home Information Pack and we will provide you with an efficient expert service in assembling your HIP. With offices in Barrow, Dalton, Ulverston, Grange and Kendal, we offer an exceptional local service.

If you live in Cumbria and you want more information about HIPS or to get a valuation on your house, phone your local branch of Poole Townsend.

Online Property Services

If you're thinking of moving, why not try our Find a Property service to search the Poole Townsend database. You can add properties to your basket and, when you're satisfied with your selection, forward your details to us to request a viewing.

If you want to get an idea of the cost of a mortgage or see how much you might be able to borrow, why not try our online Financial Calculator.

For more information, complete our online enquiry form or contact your local office.

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. Poole Townsend are Independent Financial Advisers regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.