AA Legal Services: Tories pledge to scrap HIPs

James Molloy, Head of AA Legal Services Comments: “AA Legal Services has been in full support of the Home Information Packs as a way of giving power back to homebuyers. They were introduced to help solve some of the more frustrating aspects of the housing market, such as speculative house marketing for the purposes of valuation, and this appears to be working.

I’m not convinced that talk of abandoning HIPs is particularly helpful to either consumer confidence in the product or the housing market. A reasonable period of ‘bedding in’ is essential to fully evaluate HIPs, and I would urge patience.

Buying a home is the biggest one off investment people will make and it is important to take the right steps to ensure that this investment is protected and properly represented.

We would like to urge purchasers in the meantime, to make sure they get full surveys carried out on their prospective property which could highlight potentially crippling risks such as subsidence or dry or wet rot.”

Ten things a structural survey will reveal

Development plans in the area which may affect property value

Geology beneath the house that could reveal subsidence risk

Ground contamination and previous industrial activity (such as mining)

All minor and major structural defects, movement of the property, their implications and the cost of repair.

Dampness and integrity of damp-proof course

Evidence of dry rot, woodworm (or other insect infestation) and other damage to timber work such as floor and roof joists

Roof and wall insulation

Drainage problems such as root damage or hidden leaks

Details of the materials used in the construction of the property and their condition – such as flat roofs, rendering; structural timber, chimney pointing etc

Technical information such as condition of wiring, water pipes, heating and gas and security