We do like to be positive in this office, and to try to find something nice to say about everything. We have to admit defeat, however, over Home Information Packs which became compulsory on 1 August for residential properties of four or more bedrooms.
The nearest we can get to it is to say that, after all the false starts and mind-changing, property vendors do at least know that they must provide this extra paperwork. It is thought that many were waiting to see if a last-minute fit of common sense would spare them this new burden. Now they know they are stuck with it and might as well get on with selling when the Summer ends.
An angry letter in the Times last week complained that the Energy Performance Certificate told the property owner only the extent of his property’s shortfall in energy performance, and made no positive suggestions as to how he might improve it. If one wanted confirmation that HIPs are a burden with no benefit, this is it.
It would be interesting to know if the Government, obsessed as it is by statistics, has any means of calculating the extra road miles to be clocked up by inspectors and the size of the paper mountain which will result. More than enough, we think, to off-set any environmental or other advantage.
We have an article on Home Information Packs on our web site. We do our best to minimise the delays and expense already inherent in the conveyancing process and will rise to the additional burdens imposed by HIPs
Please contact Andrew Penfold on 020 242 7000 to talk about HIPs or any other aspect of selling and buying residential property.
