The introduction of Home Information Packs (
HIPs) has attracted much criticism, not least from conveyancing solicitors who claim that they are of little use in their current diluted form and at a time when the property market is struggling anyway.
Nevertheless, the obligation of sellers to provide them when they put a property on the market means that they now represent a significant amount of the work a
conveyancing solicitor undertakes. Estate agents often offer to assist with HIPs but using a
conveyancing solicitor means that, if necessary, it can be transferred to another estate agent.
There are several documents that are compulsory for a conveyancing solicitor to include in the packs. The most important of these is evidence of the title which proves who owns the property. The Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), which describes the property's energy use, is also of use to a prospective buyer and their conveyancing solicitor.
The latest addition to HIPs is the Property Information Questionnaire (PIQ) which covers matters such as service charges and damage to the property. Conveyancing solicitors must also include local authority searches, which cover planning permission and road proposals and information on the commonhold or lease, whichever is appropriate.
Optional documents that conveyancing solicitors can also include in HIPs are the Home Condition Report, guarantees and warranties and additional searches and leasehold information. Your conveyancing solicitor may actually advise spending a little extra money to carry out a full local search that will be of far more use to a prospective buyer.
NB: None of this information should be construed as legal advice.
Coventry conveyancing solicitor courts
Courts
60 Little Park Street, Coventry, CV1 2SQ
Coventry Magistrates Court
60 Little Park Street, Coventry, CV1 2SQ
Coventry Combined Court
140 Much Park Street, Coventry, CV1 2SN
Courts Collecting Office Magistrates Courts Nuneaton Magistrates
Vicarage Street, Nuneaton, CV11 4DN
Courts General Enquiries Magistrates Courts Leamington Spa Magist
3 Newbold Terrace, The Court House, Leamington Spa, CV32 4EA
Warwick Combined Court Centre
Northgate Southside, Warwick, CV34 4RB
Warwick County Court
Northgate Southside, Warwick, CV34 4RB
Rugby County Court
Newbold Road, Rugby, CV21 2LQ
Hinckley Magistrates Court
Upper Bond Street, Hinckley, LE10 1NZ
Magistrates Court
83 Homer Road, Solihull, B91 3RD
