HIPS Question

dave111

I have tried to sell my house(3bed) privately in a national newspaper but to no avail.
If I decide to use an estate agent later in September will I be able to avoid paying for a HIP because the property 'is already on the market'

thanks.

david29dpo

Yes. But you will need one after jan 1st 2008

dave111

thanks for the assistance

MoJo

david29dpo wrote: »

Yes. But you will need one after jan 1st 2008

Do you know if there is a definition of "on the market"? I notice that the OP had advertised nationally and wondered if the answer would be different if a house had only been put up for sale locally.
Thanks

david29dpo

if a house as been marketed in ANY way, even simply telling people you are selling or shouting it from the bedroom window, it is "on the market" and will not need a hip.

MoJo

Taverymuchly!
You are so much clearer then the RICS website

david29dpo

My pleasure.

andyrules

david, we took our house off the market last year as it didn't sell, but were planning on marketing again after Sept when DD goes back to college with all her junk, so we can see the wood for the trees (or the colour of the carpet!).

I had some valuations done in May in panic when HIPS were planned for June, when that was changed decided to wait till September! Most people I know are aware that we want to sell, but how would I prove that? would it be best to put an ad in the paper?

courtjester

People knowing you want to sell and being on the market are two different things. From your comments, you have actually taken no action to put the property 'on the market' - i.e activity which advertises the fact to the public, not just telling friends and neighbours.

If your property is 3 bedrooms, HIPS are being implemented from Monday 10 September, so you have only this weekend to take action.

Some might say that as Trading Standards are unlikely to chase up private owners, there is no real risk involved in doing nothing, although you won't be allowed to go with an agent without a HIP after 10 September as they are legally responsible for their clients compliance.

However, all you really need to do is get some evidence of marketing - the easiest means being to list the property with a decent online (paid for) service which gives you an online credit card receipt for payment as evidence of the commencement of the advertising.

There are plenty of cheap ones you can do this with, or if you actually want the advertising to be effective, select one of the main nationals - google for "sell my house" or "private house sales" for the leading contenders ignoring the sponsored ads top and right.

MoJo

courtjester wrote: »

<snip>you won't be allowed to go with an agent without a HIP after 10 September as they are legally responsible for their clients compliance.<snip>

That's the bit that was worrying me.
So, if you are currently trying to sell privately (in this case there is a home-made sign up), if you then decide to go down the conventional route with an Agent you are going to need a HIP - is that right?

david29dpo

No, you will not need a HIP.