Barnard Marcus denied access to HIPS ... are they hiding something?

mightyjoejo

Has anyone come across an estate agent who denys access to HIPs even after property viewing? I believe the HIPs are to be made available even prior to viewing the property from 6th april 09 onwards... Are Barnard Marcus out of touch with recent developments in the market, or are they hiding something about the property?

Has anyone come across such an estate agent?

mikee_j

the law states that the HIP has to be made available to any prospective purchaser or tenant.

Perhaps they haven't completed one yet?

I would be quite firm with them and demand it!

poppysarah

Is it trading standards that wll help?

mightyjoejo

Oh btw, to add, I was told its illegal to hand over the HIPs, Illegal !!!, i cud nto control laughing.. I asked who r the HIPS for then? no answer.. I was told they wud find out and get back to me..

geoffky

oh dear these scumbags are charging someone a good few grand for selling and they cant get a hips together....they sink to new lows

poppysarah

First prosecutions for not having a HIP would be fun at this stage in the housing cycle.

00ec25

the following is a direct extract from the Government's HIP regulations website giving instructions on how Estate Agents should operate the HIP process (ie reference to you means the Estate Agent):

"Potential buyers are entitled to receive a copy of the HIP, or any part of it, on request and this should be provided to them within 14 days. There should be no charge for this, but you can ask buyers to pay a reasonable charge to cover copying and postage for sending a paper copy. The HIP Regulations make no provision for charging for an electronic, copy of a HIP


Where you have good reason to believe the person is not a serious buyer, does not have the means to buy the property or is someone the seller does not want to sell to you do not have to provide a copy of the HIP. You should take care not to discriminate unlawfully though."

david29dpo

Because most property is taking a while to sell, I know of at least 4 agents who are commissioning the HIP put not completing them. This does actually help the buyer and seller because the HIP wont go "out of date" by the time the property is sold. Illegal yes but we wait for the first prosecution!

lynzpower

Its not BArnard Marcus, london se11 is it

uktyler

mightyjoejo wrote: »

Oh btw, to add, I was told its illegal to hand over the HIPs, Illegal !!!, i cud nto control laughing.. I asked who r the HIPS for then? no answer.. I was told they wud find out and get back to me..

Have you viewed the property?

I would go back, knock on the door, and tell the seller what their EA is doing.

Imagine trying to sell your house with these clowns.

david29dpo

I have been surprised a number of times about the lack of knowledge some agents have about the HIP. It not rocket science. (or shouldn't be for an agent!)