Compiling my own HIP: My experience.

Richard_Webster

The local charges (searches CON29R) completed, this cost £15 from my local borough council however they do not hold records of any highway records and as such couldn’t answer question 2 and 3.2 - 3.6, for this I was referred to Mouchel who work on behalf of Essex County Council who conducted theses searches totalling £26.

I think this means that the HIP is not legal. I expect EA didn't know any different and OP may well get away with it. The local search has to be provided by the local authority or by a search provider with indemnity insurance. I don't think you can actually walk round and do your own. I have seen a HIP where the seller did his own "search" and it simply consisted of a photocopy that he got from the Council of their list of planning decisions. I told the seller's solicitors and they had to get their client to get a proper search.

You have to see it form the buyer's point of view. They need to be able to rely on the search and they cannot realistically do that unless it comes from the Council or from a provider who has indemnity insurance to pay out if they have made a mistake.

Also re different costs of searches - Councils vary enormously in what they charge for searches and this must often be reflected in the cost of a HIP and also in the time they take to complete. if a Council is taking 4 weeks then the HIP takes 4 weeks and you can do nothing about it.

chickmug

Just checked my HIP on a place I am selling (not wanted buy to let) and the downloaded Title Plan has the red writing on the bottom saying it is not an offical copy so I guess I now need to find out if my HIP does not comply????? Or does it.