HIP, HIP hooray - help from Redrow

Controversial since day one, they've been watered down and criticised by many; yet currently anyone selling a three or four-bedroom property in England or Wales is legally obliged to supply buyers with a Home Information Pack (HIP).

With on-going confusion about what's in them, how they work and how much they should cost, there’s good news in one sector of the housing market.

Anyone buying a brand new home from Redrow via its ‘Mastermove’ service could find the practical and financial responsibility for a HIP on their existing three or four-bedroom property taken care of by the experts on their behalf.

Simon Bennett, Redrow’s group marketing director, says: “Our Mastermove service already helps people with a property to sell, instructing an agent on their behalf, dealing with the paperwork, chasing the sale and ultimately paying the estate agent’s fee.

“We can now also include the production of the Home Information Pack that’s legally required on the property they are selling. With a commercially produced HIP costing several hundred pounds, that’s another major saving for our Mastermove customers and one that’s sure to be welcome.”

Redrow employs a specialist company to prepare the HIPs and manage the process, ensuring that all of the essential elements are covered - including the compulsory energy performance certificate, standard searches, copies of any planning permissions and guarantees for any work undertaken.

Simon adds: “A lot of people were worried about the introduction of HIPs and what the implications would be for them and their house sale. Our all-inclusive Mastermove service means that we are there to ‘hold the hand’ of our customers, guiding them through the process and helping them to move up to the brand new home of their choice.”

Mastermove is available at Redrow developments across the UK on most available plots, with customers usually able to ‘hold’ their chosen plot for four weeks, sometimes longer.

Simon explains: “An initial registration fee of just £395 will entitle the customer to all elements of Mastermove, including the Home Information Pack. The registration fee will be reimbursed on legal completion, so ultimately the HIP will cost them nothing.

“Should the customer cancel, we will retain their registration fee but the HIP will become their property – still a potential saving on high street prices for a comprehensive HIP that meets all of the legal requirements.”

Established over 30 years and winner of many national and regional awards, Redrow builds circa 5,000 new homes each year, offering everything from affordable first time buyer homes to state-of-the-art city centre apartments, traditional family housing, elegant townhouses and high-value executive detached homes.

For details of developments near you, visit Redrow.co.uk, where further information about Mastermove can also be found.

For information on HIPs visit: Homeinformationpacks.gov.uk.