REsidEnTialsales
“The Government should split the EPC
Alan Kirkham,
from the HIP and make that part
alan KirKHam eState agentS,
mandatory but scrap the rest. In the main
(part Of fine and COUntry)
on our patch in Surrey we have few issues
with delays in local authority searches but “HIPs are not perfect but they are a great
we should also be asking the question why marketing tool and once they get on track
is an EPC for a residential sale valid for they will be very useful to everyone. The
three years and yet an identical EPC for a concept, of having information available as
rental is valid for 10 years? early as possible, is very sound and it would
“I’m not able to able to be specific be a big mistake to go back – we’ve come
regarding how many agents are flaunting this far with HIPs and we should carry on.
the law on HIPs but on a daily basis, many “There are many improvements that can
of our 17 sales offices are encountering be made to add value to HIPs and make
properties placed on the market since 6 them work as they were intended to – to
April being viewed with no HIP in place. improve and speed up the transaction
Vendors are usually quite happy for this as process. Problems have arisen because the
Andrew Dewar there is no supposed risk to them, so they
JOint SeniOr partner, don’t care however it could delay a sale if
CUrCHOdS
the HIP is late in being created. There is The concept,
“The introduction of first day marketing also a danger that “cheap” HIPs may not be
has affected the industry with reduced compliant, thus creating another delay in of having
numbers of properties coming on the waiting to make them so.”
market and frustrated sellers, who feel they information
have been robbed of their liberty to sell
their property when they wish to. Few Sean available as early
buyers ask for HIPs but more buyers’
Purtill,
solicitors are beginning to ask for them.
prOprietOr,
as possible is
“One of the problems currently arising is elliSOnS
pressure on sellers to renew out-of-date very sound and
information (mainly searches) as “HIPs could and
properties are taking so long to sell. For should be it would be a big
sellers, this means an additional cost positive. At the
attached to selling. Clever buyers are moment they are mistake to go back
holding guns to sellers’ heads and saying causing
they will withdraw if the sellers don’t agree congestion, preventing properties coming – we’ve come this
to pay. This trend will only last during the into the market for at least two weeks, but
time it is a buyers’ market, but it is another HIPs should provide buyers with far with HIPs.’
stress and complication in the process. comprehensive information where
When one thinks of the Government’s everything is ready and all that is needed alan KirKHam, alan KirKHam eState agentS
statement at the outset, that HIPs were to are some additional enquiries and a
make the process of selling and buying less mortgage offer. Government has not taken advice from the
stressful and save wasted costs, it’s a bit of a “By and large, solicitors are not looking industry but had its own ideas on HIPs.
joke. They could be useful in a fast moving at HIPs but rather sticking to old methods We actively promote the HIP when they go
market, but not in current conditions! and procedures however electronic to see potential sellers and when we
conveyancing is key to helping the buying explain the benefits of a HIP to people,
Clever buyers
and selling process greatly. When all focusing on the way the HIP can provide
solicitors embrace electronic procedures it all the information about a property so that
are holding
will make a big difference to the HIPs buyers can make their decisions and
process. Indeed, when solicitors have done proceed far more quickly, people accept it
guns to sellers’
this and used HIPs effectively we have seen and we’ve found there is no animosity
the positive difference it makes. towards the industry.
heads and saying
“If more properties were on the market There is a lot the industry can do. Our
the issues regarding HIPs would be less of a ‘oven-ready’ HIP is designed to include as
they will withdraw
problem. Demand is 200 per cent higher much as possible, but we hope eventually
than last year but it takes between seven to include extra documentation, such as,
if the sellers don’t
and 14 days to produce a HIP before a for this area, a coal board search and an
property can be marketed. Where we had independent property valuation.
agree to pay.’
200 applicants last Autumn we now have “We have also set up our own highly
550. Our clients can see HIPs on line, in a qualified conveyancing team this April so
magazine or on file so if HIPs become that the whole chain can be handled in one
andrew dewar, CUrCHOdS more fluid, it will boost their appeal.” office, reducing costs for all the buyers and
46 JULY-AUGUST 2009 PROPERTYdrum
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