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HIP needed if I want to house swap?

maarika
maarika Posts: 6 Forumite
edited 20 May 2009 at 8:32AM in House buying, renting & selling
I am thinking of advertising my house on a house swapping website. I know I need a HIP if I advertise on a normal house sale type website, but do I need a HIP if I am advertising it for a swap?

Thought the house swapping idea could help save money on estate agent fees, and also on the HIP if I am not blatantly advertising it for sale.
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Comments

  • Doozergirl
    Doozergirl Posts: 33,977 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    If you are marketing it in any way then you will need a HIP. Marketing would count as anything that would attract an otherwise stranger to buy your house.

    So you will need a HIP.

    Out of interest, which website will you be using?
    Everything that is supposed to be in heaven is already here on earth.
  • maarika
    maarika Posts: 6 Forumite
    Thanks for that. I was afraid a HIP would be needed. I was thinking of using a new website I found called houseswapfinder dot com. It has a free option, so thought I'd just give it a try. Looks like they just started, but I found quite a lot of helpful information about house swapping there, which I couldnt find on the other sites.
  • Hi There,

    I used to work as an EA & for a HIP company, i can confirm that if you are in anyway marketing or offering your house for sale to a party/individual then you will need a HIP! The only way around this as far as i know is as below. Please bare in mind i have been out of the business for a year now so some laws may have been changed or updated, always check with the CAB and/or a solicitor.

    - Selling to a close blood relative
    - Selling the property combined with a commercial unit, these must be sold together and be part of the same freehold overall unit!
    - Selling a property that is unahabitable is onyl exempt from the EPG/R and not the rest fo the HIP.

    Thanks
    Ben
  • 54druids
    54druids Posts: 516 Forumite
    houseswaptogo is also free. I have mine advertised there and they are doing alot of marketing recently. Don't know how long it will be free for so would hurry up.
    Smile though your bank is breaking:)
  • maarika
    maarika Posts: 6 Forumite
    Hi 54druid,

    Did you have to get a HIP pack then before you could advertise on there? Have you seen anything worth swapping for?
  • Evee2000
    Evee2000 Posts: 217 Forumite
    PPI Party Pooper
    Can I just ask a bit more about the house swap arrangement? You're house is not for sale - so I fail to see why you would attract the requirement for a HIP. I think you'll still need an EPC - but possibly not a HIP. I've approached my trade body IPPA for advice, as I'm not sure!
  • 54druids
    54druids Posts: 516 Forumite
    no havent seen anything yet but have found a guy who wants to move to my area so have sent him my details - so these sites are also another way of getting exposure for your house as well as a potential swap
    Smile though your bank is breaking:)
  • Evee2000
    Evee2000 Posts: 217 Forumite
    PPI Party Pooper
    Okay - looks like this is still classed as a sale - so HIP will be required.
  • maarika
    maarika Posts: 6 Forumite
    Yes I called some government bod to, and he confirmed that any kind of marketing of your property means you need a HIP. Personally I think its criminal, as they dont do this in most other countries of the world. But what can you do!
  • PasturesNew
    PasturesNew Posts: 70,698 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    The site has 3 houses, in Bulgaria, for swap.
    The domain was registered on 27 April 2009.

    I think the OP was advertising.
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