Hamptons to offer free Home Information Packs

Hamptons International, international residential agents, and a subsidiary of Emaar properties have announced it will offer clients Home Information Packs (HIPs) for free, following their June implementation date. This move makes Hamptons the first major residential agent to announce such a strategy.

HIPs become mandatory on 1st June 2007 for anyone selling a residential property and will consist of a detailed set of documents providing key information such as copies of a property’s deeds and details regarding its energy efficiency.

As part of its HIPs solution, Hamptons International will not only help to organise all documentation required, but arrange a HIP for its clients free of charge (subject to terms and conditions). The cost of a HIP is anticipated to be between £300 - £1000.

“Hamptons free HIPs strategy has been carefully designed to take our client’s unique property requirements into consideration,” comments Mark Anderson – MD Residential Agency, Hamptons International.

“Many potential sellers are concerned about the impact of HIPs and it is evident that a number will take the decision to market their properties before the June implementation date. However, for others this timeframe will just not be suitable,” adds Emma Davies, Operations Director – Hamptons International.

"We wanted to provide our clients with a strong and comprehensive HIPs solution to enable them to sell their property within a timeframe that suits them. If someone wishes to sell in 2007 we have simply removed the potential artificial urgency of getting the property onto the open market before 1st June 2007," notes Ian Westerling, Regional Director – Thames and Chilterns, Hamptons International.

“In addition, we wanted to help manage any client concern over what needs to be included in a HIP and ensure the highest quality service and expertise is made available to them. Without a doubt, the introduction of HIPs marks one of the most fundamental changes to the way property is bought and sold in the UK and Hamptons has worked intensively to develop a strategy to help ensure implementation is as successful as it can be,” concludes Anderson.

From 1st June 2007, if you are selling a property the law will now require you to produce a Home Information Pack (HIP). If you require any further information on HIPs or advice on buying and selling please visit hamptons.co.uk