Ownerpack introduces HIPs options
Author: Gary Horsley · Posted: October 04, 2007
As of October 1st, Essex and Suffolk home owners putting their properties on the market will have a choice between two levels of Home Information Pack (HIP) from local supplier Ownerpack. Indicating how the suppliers see the HIPs market developing, Ownerpack now offers a standard HIP and a more comprehensive version that gives potential purchasers information on environmental and planning matters as well as information on the Neighbourhood and Local Amenities.
Philippa Jerram of Steed & Steed Solicitors, who devised the Ownerpack HIP along with fellow solicitors Holmes & Hills, explained the rationale.
‘The arrival of Home Information Packs on the market has been quite fraught, with strong opposition arguments from some in the property industry and even legal challenges. In consequence many consumers are unsure about what HIPs are supposed to do. By offering the standard version, which meets the requirements of the legislation, plus a version that provides much more information we are trying to show the positive aspects for sellers. We have called the enhanced version Ownerpack HIP PLUS and we see it in the same light as having a colour brochure for a property instead of a simple estate agent specification sheet.
‘With this year’s floods still in people’s minds and questions of planning permission always lurking in the background, many prospective purchasers will be happy to see information that puts these issues at rest. If having this information at the outset helps accelerate the purchase decision it is good news for the seller and can easily justify the additional investment of Premier Hip.’
Pricing for the Ownerpack standard HIP is £290.00 inclusive of VAT from October 1st, or £335.00 if purchased using the optional deferred credit scheme. The HIP PLUS version costs £446.50 inclusive of VAT. Both are available from authorised Ownerpack agents in Essex and Suffolk or via the enquiry form on this site.