Pictured above: Chris Meredith
An industry expert has reacted positively to the news that the
newly formed coalition government has suspended the use of Home
Information Packs (HIPs) by home sellers with immediate effect.
Homes marketed for sale from May 21 will now no longer require
one of the packs.
They were introduced in England in 2007 with the aim of speeding
up the process of selling houses and required home owners to
provide much of the required conveyancing information when
properties are first put up for sale.
The Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition Government has,
however, decided to axe the packs, which were paid for by sellers
and included basic property information and copy title.
The Government has decided to retain Energy Performance
Certificates (EPC), originally introduced to help meet EU targets
to reduce carbon emissions, which rate the energy efficiency
of a property.
Chris Meredith, head of residential property at Warwickshire law
firm Wright Hassall Solicitors, has welcomed the decision to
abolish the controversial packs.
"HIPS have done nothing to speed up the process for people
selling or purchasing homes," he said.
"They have added little to the conveyancing process and, I think
it would be fair to say, have been a substantial waste of money for
a lot of people concerned.
"I'm sure our clients will be pleased to lose this cost element
of the home selling process and it will be refreshing to revert
back to where we were before the packs were introduced although of
course we will continue to offer the provision of an EPC to our
clients."
Fot more information about Wright Hassall, please visit their
website here: www.wrighthassall.co.uk