HIP reports - 2 questions

whitesatin

I know these reports are no longer necessary but I have just tried to access mine (less than 6 months old) to answer a query but find that the link is no longer active. Is that normally the case?

What I was wanting to find out is whether or not local authority searches are included and, if they are, does this mean that solicitors don't need to apply when you are selling your house?

Bananamana

depends- most places have closed following the end of the hip - no reason why they would keep the webspace up really

vet8

But surely if you have paid for a HIP you should be able to access it even if the HIPs are no longer needed. I know lots of people on here have asked if they can get their money back for a HIP and the answer is clearly, "No", but if the HIP websites are closing down then they are not fulfilling their part of the bargain. You paid for something and it is no longer available.

Bananamana

Difficult though if the company has closed. In any event the link was up and you could have printed a paper copy at any time.

Sucks I know but thats the bottom line

david29dpo

As above plus the searches will be out of date anyway.

sonastin

The HIP does include a local authority search but I believe it expires after a period - 6 months I think. Yours may still be valid but some solicitors advise buyers to get their own search done anyway to have confidence that it is up-to-date, especially if the expiry date is looming...

PerfectPeaches

Your solicitor should have a copy of the HIP on file and should be able to produce it to you (this may incurr a small fee though). As previous posts the searches would be most likely out of date especially as they have an expiry of around 3-6 months. If you have any issues with your title or boundaries you could always access this information via Land Registry and they charge around £4-£8 for a copy of your title register.