South Warwickshire’s legal and property professionals have come together to respond to new requirements for buying and selling houses.
Agents from Leamington, Kenilworth, Stratford-upon-Avon and Warwick are working closely with 200-strong law firm Wright Hassall LLP to ensure the south of the county is ready for the introduction of home information packs (HIPs) on 1 June 2007.
The idea behind HIPs is to give homebuyers the chance to make a more informed decision when they purchase a house.
They will include details such as a report on the condition of the property called a Home Condition Report as well as evidence of title, a property information form, a list of fixtures and fittings offered with the home, copies of planning consents, a local authority search and a drainage search.
HIPs will affect everyone connected with the sale and purchase of homes. Local agents and lawyers have decided to work together to ensure that clients will continue to be best served by their independent local professionals.
Chris Meredith, head of conveyancing at law firm Wright Hassall LLP, said: “This is going to mean a huge change for those businesses that deal with home sales.
“Wright Hassall has been monitoring the situation with HIPs for some time and the key to making the transition a smooth one is being prepared for it and we feel we are ready for its implementation next year.”
He added: “The fact that everyone is working together is a sign of just how significant this is and we believe that the people will ultimately reap the benefit of our collective approach.”
Malcolm Hawkesford, of Malcolm Hawkesford estate agents – which has branches in Leamington, Warwick, Southam, Stratford and Wellesbourne - said HIPs would improve the transparency of home sales.
He said: “HIPs seek to clarify every detail so homebuyers can make better informed decisions regarding the property they are purchasing.
“That is something we as an industry welcome, although it has meant a lot of hard work. We have set up a new company called Warwickshirehips to provide HIPs in liaison with other local agents and solicitors.
“Our joined-up thinking with other agents and lawyers has worked very well and we hope it will make the change-over to HIPs a simple one for homebuyers and sellers.”
For more information contact Chris Meredith at Wright Hassall on 01926 886688.
