Home Information Packs (HIP) is now a legal part of the house buying and selling process. Consumers need to ensure the HIP they commission and the documents contained within it, are accurate and acceptable to prospective purchasers and solicitors.

Unfortunately there are some HIP providers who are cutting corners, as prices for this service continue to be pushed down with a slowing housing market. With a reduction in price, often results in a reduction of profit, and sometimes a reduction in the service and the quality of service given to consumers. In this climate, our experience highlights the constant need for our clients to be given much more personal attention and service.

So it is not always best to go for the cheapest option! Cheap is NOT always cheerful!

No Move, No Fee Conveyancing

The moment you decide to put your property for sale on the market, you should instruct a solicitor or conveyancer on a Fixed Fee and a No Move, No Fee service.

If you select c-hips.co.uk for this service, it will cost our clients nothing during the waiting period, and as you are on a fixed fee, it cannot be increased at a later time.  Then once you have found that prized buyer your solicitor / conveyancer will proceed in assisting the client to get their property sold on the Fixed Fee price.

If the purchase falls through you don’t have to pay the solicitors fees, and can put the property back on the market with the solicitors / conveyancers again waiting patiently in the background.

Visit www.c-hips.co.uk to find out more about Fixed Fee and a No Move, No Fee service and for a fast and efficient service Tel-0800 970 6630.

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• Coalition Government Suspends Home Information Packs (HIPs) (news.suite101.com)

C-Hips, Conveyancing and Home Information Pack Service is a post from: My First Home Blog

Housing Minister, Caroline Flint announced a proposal to further enhance the home buying and selling process for consumers, by presenting information in a simpler way in the Home Information Pack. The consultation is open until 30^th September 2008.

The Government is proposing to include a Property Information questionnaire (PIQ) as a mandatory part of HIPs to improve the product for both buyers and sellers. The PIQ would be a simple form that is freely available to download from the Communities and Local Government and other HIP provider websites.

The questionnaire would include information such as: building work carried out to the property, council tax banding, information on energy and utilities, details on parking arrangement etc.

The quality of leasehold information provided in the HIP is also set to be improved. Information will include details about the cost and use of leasehold property and a copy of the lease. Presently a temporary provision only requires a copy of the lease to be included.

Caroline Flint said,

“Having the right information about a property at the beginning of the home buying process is essential if we are to reduce delays and cut down on wasteful costs for both buyers and sellers.

“HIPs are an important first step in achieving greater efficiency and the Property Information Questionnaire will only improve on this, ensuring the buying and selling process is simpler for all.”

Government Proposing To Enhance Buying And Selling is a post from: My First Home Blog

Following the successful introduction on 1^st August 2007, of the Home Information Packs (HIPs) for homes with four bedrooms and above, the Government has confirmed there will be enough energy assessors, nationally and regionally, to roll out to three bedroom homes next month.

The Government is committing itself to further implementing HIPs and Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) to three bedroom properties from 10 September 2007. HIPs and EPCs are being introduced on a phased basis to ensure a smooth transition in the housing market, and to begin the process of transforming the home buying and selling process in the interests of consumers and the environment at the earliest opportunity.

HIPs and EPCs will give house buyers energy ratings for homes for the first time, from A to G – similar to consumer friendly ratings for fridges, helping to lower fuel bills and reduce carbon emissions. The packs will also help to cut costs for consumers by increasing transparency and competition in the home buying and selling process.

A further announcement on rolling out HIPs and EPCs to other properties will be made in due course. Our key criteria will be ensuring a smooth implementation and that the necessary energy assessors, both nationally and regionally, are in place. Measures recommended in the EPC could save the average consumer £300 a year off their fuel bills, according to the Energy Saving Trust. Typical ‘green grants’ of £100 to £300 for energy saving improvements like loft insulation are available for many home owners.

A new system to make it easier for home owners to access these grants from energy suppliers was launched earlier this month. Energy suppliers are providing immediate access and information about green grants and offers to home buyers when they sign up to an energy contract. A new portal on the Energy Saving Trust’s website also allows consumers to tap in their postcode to find out offers available. A snapshot of leading HIP providers shows packs are taking five days on average to produce. Many major estate agent chains are offering HIPs as part of their ordinary fees. Others are charging in the region of £300 to £350 plus VAT on an upfront or deferred basis – £200 to £250 of which is already paid for in the current system.

Communities Minister Baroness Andrews said:

“We are now ready to start rolling out HIPs and EPCs to the next part of the market as promised, and improve a home buying and selling process which currently is not working for consumers or the environment.”

“HIPs and EPCs can help families to save hundreds of pounds off their fuel bills, and cut a million tonnes of carbon a year. They also have the potential to reduce the millions of pounds wasted by consumers when buying and selling a home, by increasing transparency and competition in a process that hasn’t changed for a generation.”

Government Implements Home Information Pack Roll-Out is a post from: My First Home Blog

The Government is seeking to extend measures, to help ensure consumers are seeing the vital information in Home Information Packs and to make sure they are receiving a higher standard of service from HIP and other service providers.

The new measures include: developing a new set of standards with industry on what consumers should expect from property professionals in the home buying and selling process; further building on the quality of information in the packs; working with industry to ensure that consumers are fully seeing and benefiting from the HIP, including the EPC, early in the process; extending until the end of the year the provisions enabling consumers to market their home as long as they have ordered and committed to pay for a HIP, and the provision requiring the lease to be included in the HIP for leasehold properties.

The latest figures on HIPs show that consumers are already benefiting from the introduction of Home Information Packs. More than 700,000 homes now have energy ratings as a result of HIPs, helping home owners to save money on their fuel bills and cut carbon emissions. Greater competition in the property searches market is also leading to reductions in costs with some local authorities reducing their search fees by up to £120.

Housing Minister, Caroline Flint said,

“Home Information Packs are already bringing benefits to consumers. Property search costs are falling and new information on energy efficiency can help cut carbon emissions and enable prospective purchasers to get a better idea of the likely costs of energy bills.

“But we want to do more to improve the HIP and the home buying and selling process for consumers. Developing a new set of standards for industry is an important next step in further ensuring all consumers get the highest quality of service when buying or selling a home. We also want to ensure all consumers are seeing the vital information in a HIP early in the process so they can fully benefit.

“Alongside the development of a new industry code, we will continue to work with the industry to promote higher and consistent standards of practice on the delivery of HIPs.”

Government Wants HIPs To Benefit Consumers is a post from: My First Home Blog

With thousands of delighted customers since the launch of our conveyancing service in 1999, we are sure our new HIPs provision service will prove just as popular in providing a great value Home Information Pack for your property to give you a one stop shop for your house move.

Try our quote beater service and visit www.c-hips.co.uk for more details.

Tel -0800 970 6630

C-Hips, Conveyancing and Home Information Pack Service is a post from: My First Home Blog

The Government reported that sixty per cent of the housing market is now covered by HIPs. and the criteria for roll out to the rest of the market have now been met. The press release 22^nd November 2007 said it is therefore the government’s intention, to complete the phased roll out by extending coverage to the rest of the market from 14th December 2007.

First time buyers of one and two bedroom homes will be the main beneficiaries as they will now get important information about their new home for free. Information such as searches for which they would previously have had to pay will now is included in the HIP paid for by the seller, reducing the costs of the first step onto the property ladder.

But all householders will benefit from having detailed information about the energy efficiency of their home, and measures to save on their fuel bills and cut carbon emissions. Home buyers could potentially be eligible for hundreds of pounds to get help with insulation or other improvements.

According to Government figures, two hundred thousand Energy Performance Certificates have been generated since the summer. As set out in the criteria of 11 June there are now sufficient energy assessors and home inspectors fully qualified and accredited to provide Energy Performance Certificates for all homes bought and sold. Some 5794 people are now accredited

The analysis of the early phase of rollout of HIPs found that the average rating for homes was an E, and we know that approximately one-fifth of all homes are likely to get an F or G rating. This means that basic measures could significantly cut both fuel bills and carbon emissions. The Energy Savings Trust has also estimated that homeowners could also save around £300 a year on fuel bills from implementing the recommendations in the Energy Performance Certificate.

The Government is also proposing to establish a new Green Homes Service offering those buying or selling a home with an F or G rating free or discounted help with energy efficiency measures, by linking them up with grants and loans provided by energy companies and others. Home buyers could potentially be eligible for hundreds of pounds to get help with insulation or other improvements.

In addition, the government has also conducted monitoring and analyses of the implementation programme to ensure continued smooth roll out. Early monitoring shows:

• HIPs are taking on average seven to 10 days to prepare.

• The majority of property, and drainage and water searches are being delivered within five days.

• Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) are being prepared on average within two to four days.

• On average, a HIP costs between £300 and £350. Most of these are not new costs, as they cover the cost of searches and other documents which have simply been transferred from buyer to seller at the beginning of the process. The Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is of course new but provides consumers with valuable information of the costs of running their home.

• Competition from HIPs is reducing the costs of average property searches. Eighty-five local authorities have already reduced their charges by £30 on average.

The Government have also commissioned and considered extensive analysis by Europe Economics on the impact of HIPs on the market. It is intending to publish their independent report which includes modelling on the impact as well as analysis of the first few months of implementation. Presently it finds no evidence of any impact on transactions or prices, although there is a predicted short term impact on new listings as sellers change the timings of their listings. It concludes that the impact on listings is short lived, and the impact on the market is marginal compared to the wider factors.

Dr. Peter Williams (who is a member of the National Housing and Planning Advice Unit) and other leading economist have been approached to consider whether changing housing market conditions meant we should change the approach to completing the roll out. Their conclusion presented strong arguments for continued rolling out as planned, and that further delay could cause greater difficulties and uncertainties in the market.

In the light of this evidence the Government will lay the commencement order to extend HIPs and EPCs to one and two bedroom properties from 14th December 2007. In order to ensure continued smooth implementation, they are also extending the temporary provisions on first day marketing for all properties from 1 January to 1 June 208, providing flexibility for sellers as part of the roll out to one and two bedroom properties.

The implementation of Home Information Packs so far, and the work of the Stakeholder Panel, has also highlighted further improvements that are needed to benefit consumers.

Research shows HIPs has already led to improvements in the delivery and cost of searches, with significant reductions in the cost of searches, and in some areas, substantial reductions in the delays in producing searches. However, there are still wide variations in costs and services and the Government want to see further improvements for consumers. It is promising to publish guidance on access and charging, for local authorities and personal searchers, with the aim of speeding up searches and delivering a fairer deal for consumers.

Ted Beardsall, Deputy Chief Executive of the Land Registry (and member of our Home Buying and Selling Stakeholder Panel) have been approached by the Housing Minister, to advise on what else could be done to improve the search process, ensuring better quality and timeliness of information, and improving value for money for consumers.

Stakeholders have also raised concerns about the costs and timeliness of leasehold information, and the impact that this will have on Home Information Packs when one and two bedroom properties are included given the higher number of leasehold properties. In the majority of cases the stakeholder Panel expects leasehold documents to be readily available and easily provided as part of Home Information Packs.

The Stakeholder panel are also aware that some leaseholders, whether in the pre-existing system or creating a HIP, can find the relevant documents difficult to obtain quickly. This further hampered with some consumers having to face disproportionate charges to access their documents.

As leasehold information is an important part of the home buying and selling process, and is already generally paid for and provided by the seller, the Government continues to believe there are considerable advantages to consumers from having leasehold information early on in the Home Information Pack. But to ensure continued smooth roll out, it is anticipated that the Housing Minister will phase the introduction of leasehold information in response to stakeholder concerns.

To assist further the Government is proposing to temporarily amend the HIP regulations so that the lease document itself must be included, but other leasehold information will be introduced as a requirement at a later date (preferably in six months time). This will allow HIPs for one and two bedroom properties to bed down in advance of leasehold information being required.

In the interim, Ted Beardsall is to advise the Government and the Home Buying Stakeholder panel on what more can be done to improve the timeliness and cost of leasehold information, alongside the work on searches.

From April 2008, the Government will begin to roll out EPCs for newly built homes, as well as across commercial property for sale, rent or construction. By October 2008 all public buildings will be required to have a displayed certificate.

All these measures are designed to promote the interests of the consumer, with the Government continuing to actively monitor the rollout of HIPs and energy performance certificates, and the home buying and selling process. The introduction of HIPs is part of a wider programme of reforms to home buying and selling including e-conveyancing and better redress, which aims to provide consumers with a clarity and transparency. The Government wants to reassure consumers that it will act and respond where further improvements are needed.

Government To Proceed With HIP Final Roll-Out is a post from: My First Home Blog

Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly on 22^nd May 2007, made the following statement to the House of Commons on the implementation of Home Information Packs and Energy Performance Certificates.

The Government is today announcing that we will be implementing Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) and Home Information Packs (HIPs) from 1 August instead of 1 June. The Government has also reached an agreement with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) on their judicial review of Energy Performance Certificates.

The Judge, considering the application for Judicial Review by RICS, had issued an Order preventing EPC’s from being included in HIPs from 1 June until a court had fully considered the RICs application.

We did not consider it to be acceptable or practical to delay the introduction of EPCs in this way.

We have always made clear greater transparency in the housing market and tackling climate change goes hand in hand. In addition, we have created a new energy assessor workforce – the majority of whom expect to start work in June.

We have therefore been in negotiation with RICS in order to avoid a lengthy delay as a result of the legal process. The Government can today announce an agreement has been reached.

The Government will revise regulations and implement the following changes -

- HIPs and EPCs to start on August 1, implemented on a phased basis. From August 1 packs – including energy performance certificates – will be required for the sale of four bedroom properties and larger. These are the properties which are the most energy inefficient. We will phase in packs for smaller properties as sufficient energy assessors become ready to start work.

- Until the end of the year, we will allow people to market their properties as soon as they have commissioned a pack – rather than making them wait until they have received them.

- As a temporary measure, we will allow EPCs to be up to twelve months old when the property is put up for sale and will consult further on the long-term arrangements for the age of EPCs.

- We will also be inviting councils and registered social landlords to work with us to introduce EPCs on a voluntary basis in social housing, for example at the time of stock transfers. The Government will therefore lead the way in efforts to tackle climate change, whilst providing work for energy assessors in advance of the full implementation of HIPs and EPCs.

Towards the end of the year we will assess the implementation of HIPs and consider what further steps might be needed to maximise the reduction in carbon emissions and drive forward the reform of home buying and selling.

This assessment will be informed by the operation of the market from 1 August; by the results of the area trials; and by a further consultation on the next steps in implementing HIPs and EPCs, which we will begin in the summer.

Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly said:

“We are pleased we have reached an agreement with RICs and potentially avoided a lengthy court case and months of delays.

“The approach we have set-out preserves the principles of HIPs and EPCs, while ensuring a transition period for the people buying and selling their property. Most importantly, it provides an opportunity to make real progress towards cutting carbon emissions from our homes.”

Housing Minister Yvette Cooper said:

“Energy ratings for homes will help cut carbon emissions and family fuel bills. Given the serious threat from climate change, it would not have been acceptable for energy certificates to be subject to long legal delays and uncertainty.”

Today we are also publishing the latest figures on energy assessor numbers, we now have 2,500 in training, a further 3,200 who have passed their exams, and 1,500 who have been accredited or have applied for accreditation but only 520 of these have been fully accredited. For implementation on 1 June, we would need more than 2,000 to be accredited.

Whilst more than enough are in the system, the current uncertainty caused by this legal challenge and the campaign of misinformation by opponents have had an impact on the numbers of energy assessors who are waiting before paying out for accreditation. The phasing in of the programme will ensure that the numbers of assessors matches the need in the market place.

______________________________________________________________

Home Information Packs: Ministerial Statement 22 May

With Permission, Mr Speaker, I would like to update the House on the Government’s proposals for the implementation of Home Information Packs.

It had been the Government’s intention to implement Home Information Packs, including Energy Performance Certificates, on 1 June.

In debate last week, reference was made to the Judicial Review requested by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. This Judicial Review focussed on Energy Performance Certificates – not Home Information Packs.

On Wednesday, the judge issued an interim order, which was received by my Department on Thursday. That Order would have effectively prevented the introduction of Energy Performance Certificates on 1 June, while the case was being considered.

The Government believes that introducing Home Information Packs without Energy Performance Certificates would be neither practical nor acceptable. It is important to introduce Energy Performance Certificates and Home Information Packs at the same time, because cutting carbon emissions should go hand in hand with market transformation.

We have been in detailed discussion with RICS to prevent lengthy legal delays. Both the Government and RICS are committed to the swift and smooth introduction of both Home Information Packs and Energy Performance Certificates. I am pleased we have today reached a pragmatic way forward that gives certainty and allows us to get on with implementation.

As a result, we are therefore proposing to withdraw the Home Information Pack regulations in order to clear the way for successful implementation of revised arrangements.

Although the issue of the judicial review is now resolved, long-running uncertainty has already had an impact on the numbers of energy assessors. For implementation on June 1, we would need at least 2,000 to be accredited, with over 2,500 by the end of the month. Today I am updating the House with the latest figures. There are over 2,500 people currently in training. A further 3,200 have already passed their home inspector or domestic energy assessor exams. Of those, 1,500 have been accredited or have applied for accreditation but only 520 of these have been fully accredited. These figures show that the number of assessors is unlikely to meet our needs for 1 June implementation. Equally, they show that in the long term, there will be enough assessors to meet demand.

The Government remains convinced of the importance of Home Information Packs and Energy Performance Certificates. Home Information Packs will cut costs and delays in buying homes. Energy Performance Certificates will help reduce energy bills and cut carbon emissions from our homes, which, as they make up 27% of our national carbon emissions, could make a big difference in our effort to tackle climate change. The measures in Energy Performance Certificates will cut carbon emissions by nearly a million tonnes every year.

I have always said that the right test of the legislation should be how it brings benefits for consumers and how it protects the environment. Today, therefore, I am setting out a practical way forward.

I propose to change the start date for Home Information Packs to August 1, and intend to phase its introduction.

From August 1 Home Information Packs – including energy performance certificates -will be required for the sale of four bedroom properties and larger. These are the properties where there is the greatest potential to make energy efficiency savings. This will ensure work for those energy assessors who have already been trained and accredited.

We will extend to smaller properties as rapidly as possible, as sufficient energy assessors become ready to work. As we see the number of accredited assessors rise, so more properties will be included in the system.

We are also introducing a number of transitional measures.

First, until the end of the year, we propose allowing people to market their properties as soon as they have commissioned a pack – rather than making them wait until they have received them, in order to avoid unnecessary delays when the systems come in.

Second, to allow energy performance certificates to be implemented at the earliest opportunity, we will make amendments to allow Energy Performance Certificates to be up to twelve months old when the property is put up for sale – extending the current three month age limit.

Third, we are inviting councils and registered social landlords to work with us to introduce Energy Performance Certificates on a voluntary basis in social housing, for example at the time of stock transfers. This will also provide work for energy assessors at an early opportunity.

I will shortly bring forward revised regulations to implement the changes I have outlined.

Towards the end of the year we will assess the implementation of Home Information Packs and consider what further steps might be needed to maximise the reduction in carbon emissions and drive forward the reform of homebuying and selling.

This assessment will be informed by the operation of the market from 1 August; by the results of the area trials; and by a further consultation on the next steps in implementing Home Information Packs and Energy Performance Certificates, which we will begin in the summer.

Mr Speaker, the approach I have set out gives clarity to everyone about the next steps.

It delivers Home Information Packs and Energy Performance Certificates, removes uncertainty for energy assessors and others, and ensures a smooth transition for the people buying and selling their property.

Most importantly, it provides an opportunity to make real progress towards cutting carbon emissions from our homes.

______________________________________________________________

Q&A for ENERGY PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATES AND
HOME INFORMATION PACKS

Q.The judgement was only about EPCs – why can’t you do HIPS on their own
A.As the statement said, the HIP and EPBD regulations are tied together. They could not be separated quickly, and that would have made no sense given the package we have announced.

Q. Why don’t you just scrap this failed policy?
A. We believe that tackling carbon emissions from homes and getting a better deal for home buyers and sellers is the right thing to do. Key green groups – e.g. FoE and WWF – agree. That is why we have taken pragmatic steps to address concerns whilst preserving the principles of HIPs and EPCs and ensuring a smooth transition for the market.

Q. Why don’t you just fight RICS in the courts if you are so confident of your case?
A. We have reached an agreement with RICS which gives us a pragmatic way forward and will prevent lengthy legal delays. Both we and they are committed to the swift and smooth introduction of both HIPS and EPCs.

Q. Are you just doing this because there were not enough energy assessors?
A. The recent uncertainty created by the court case and deliberate attempts to disrupt delivery of the programme have meant that some assessors have adopted a “wait and see” approach before signing the cheque to become accredited. The approach we have announced today should give them the reassurance they need.
There are over 2,500 people currently in training. A further 3,200 have already passed their home inspector or domestic energy assessor exams. Of those, 1,500 have been accredited or have applied for accreditation but only 520 of these have been fully accredited. So there are more than enough in the system, and the phasing should allow us to build up numbers in a way which matches need in the market place.

Q. If you are consulting now, why didn’t you consult in the first place?
A. EPCs originally formed part of mandatory HCRs, and consultation was on that basis. When we separated the EPC from the HCR last summer we did not change the existing policy on the age of certificates. Consumers will take more notice of up-to-date information.

Q. There will not be any work for energy assessors until 1 August.
A. 1 August phasing date is designed to ensure we have enough assessors in place to meet demand for EPCs. From August 1 packs – including energy performance certificates – will be required for the sale of four bedroom properties and larger. These properties – where there is the greatest potential to make energy efficiency savings – will ensure work for those energy assessors who have already been trained and accredited.
We are also inviting councils and registered social landlords to work with us to introduce EPCs on a voluntary basis in social housing, for example at the time of stock transfers. This will also provide work for energy assessors at an early opportunity.

Government Proposes Home Information Packs And Energy Performance Certificates is a post from: My First Home Blog

Proposals to build 12,500 new homes in Hampshire have been submitted to the government by Eagle Star Estates. 5,000 affordable homes are planned within their scheme. The Government is set to announce the development of new “Eco towns,” which it says will reduce carbon emissions and help fight climate change.

The new towns are expected to provide affordable housing and to be built to “Green standards.” According to the Wildlife Trust, many of the proposed sites are important areas, while others are on land designated as green belt or agricultural land. Eco-towns could be a visionary image for the future but this looks like a missed opportunity.

Stephanie Hilborne, Chief Executive for the Wildlife Trusts, said, “the Government’s current proposals make a mockery of the term ‘Eco-town’. What we need to see is the planning system being used to avoid insensitive development and restore and create new wildlife habitats. We welcome the idea of Eco-towns, but to be truly sustainable, they need to be about much more than simply building zero carbon homes. We also need to build in the right places. Many of the current proposals will destroy important wildlife sites, fragmenting our towns and countryside at a time when we should be creating living landscapes; areas through which wildlife can move.”

The government cited “commercial confidentiality” as a reason not to disclose details of the proposals earlier. Since then, a list of private companies that are involved in the plans has emerged.

Editor: Simon Weston myfirsthomeltd.co.uk

Email: Simon.Weston@myfirsthomeltd.com

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More Affordable Homes Proposed By Government is a post from: My First Home Blog

“Despite the doom and gloom, the UK property market is still full of positives,” claims property expert Assetz. The five major UK house price indices show an average of 8.3 per cent growth for the 12 months prior to November 2007. As predicted, annual growth ended last year at a level of between seven to eight per cent. These figures show that average house prices remained strong, with just a marginal fall.

Stuart Law, Chief Executive of Assetz, said, “while there has been much suggestion of a problematic era for the property market, there are many more positive signs for the year ahead. With latest buy-to-let figures outweighing any negative outlook, it is reflecting a hugely successful year for the property investor in 2008.”

Editor: Simon Weston myfirsthomeltd.co.uk

Email: Simon.Weston@myfirsthomeltd.com

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Property Market Outlook is Positive is a post from: My First Home Blog

Local authority searches are crucial components of Home Information Packs (HIPs) which have become mandatory for all residential property put up for sale from December 2007. Since their introduction, concern is now being expressed within the organisations who has the responsibility of retrieving searches from local authorities. Prior to its launch, the National Association of Estate Agents and others spoke up, highlighting the practical issues that would result.

With more properties requiring HIPs and the number of searches steadily increasing weekly, providers of HIPs are seeing more restrictions and delays. A review of the way local authority’s searches are handled is now needed in an effort to speed up the property buying process.

Providers of HIPs have claimed some institutions were making life difficult for the search companies amid criticisms that some dragged their heels. Others imposed restrictions on when providers can visit the offices while others have been limited to the number of searches they are allowed to do each day.

Also emerging from data compiled is the wide variation across the country with regard to the time it takes to complete a search. The best local authorities can provide it within hours, but the worst council can take up to two weeks. Charges also range from £40 up to £280. A campaign for councils to respond to search requests within 24 hours and charges to be more uniformed is seen as the way forward.

The Government had anticipated that the packs would speed up the UK house buying and selling process. The Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG), the ones responsible for the implementation, will have to come up with a decisive action.

Editor: Simon Weston myfirsthomeltd.co.uk

Email: simon.weston@myfirsthomeltd.com

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Home Information Packs Delayed By Local Authority Searches is a post from: My First Home Blog