HIP's is there a cheaper way??

sunshine_shell

Can anyone give me advice on a HIP. is it cheaper buying your own or going with the estate agent?

Thanks
Shell

Richard_Webster

Arrange it yourself -or get your solicitor to do it - many like me will give a discount on the conveyancing costs if they also do the HIP.

If the agent arranges it then it may supposedly be "free" but if you want to change agents there could be obstruction to it being provided to you and a charge made at that point, which would typically be higher than the cost if you arranged it yourself in the first place. Most agents don't actually do it themselves but get a HIP company to do it, perhaps putting the agent's "brand" on it.

If it is flat or unregistered or a leasehold house then you would be better getting your solicitor to do it because the HIP companies are not legally trained and so can easily get things wrong!

For instance, I am acting for a client who is buying a house, which like many in my area, was at one time long leasehold (999 years from 1900ish, ground rent about £3 pa) but where the owner bought the freehold a few years ago. Estate agents were told it was freehold but the HIP only contained the leasehold title and copy lease and my client was naturally concerned and needed reassurance that he was actually buying a freehold. The seller might have lost the sale because of this. Unfortunately this is typical of the unqualified HIP companies.

sunshine_shell

thanks i'll look into that

bride_on_a_budget

Hi,
we were quoted £500 by a estate agent, but we decided to go with myhomepack.com, it cost £222 and the hip was ready in about 6 days inc the epc.

i hope this helps

bride on a budget

ElleWoods

I used Simon Edis at www.emidlandsproperties.co.uk. My property is leasehold and it only cost £225, compared to over £400 with the estate agent. The EPC part was done the same night and the HIP completed as soon as the searches were returned. My advice is to shop around, and don't go with the estate agent, as if you decide to swap agents at any point they most likely won't let you take it with you so you'll need to get another done.

CC x

kelou

Hi Similar to previous posters, I was quoted £412 by my agent, but when I spoke to my solicitor he said it would be £300 so quite a saving! Stupidly I assumed that as we had to have a HIP it would have been a standard price! Luckily I called my solicitor to check, so worth a call round, good luck.:beer:

sunshine_shell

Thank you so much the more money we save the better!

Avallon_2

Hi,

I've gone with www.hips4u.com @ 160 + vat