Tuesday, 31 March 2009
Estate Agents Charge up to £120 to accept independent Home Information Packs
Lytham St Annes, 31 March 2009: Hipilo (http://www.hipilo.co.uk), one of the UK’s leading
providers of home information packs, is urging estate agents to stop charging validation fees to home
sellers who use independent or ‘portable’ HIPs.
The dramatic slowdown in the housing market, coupled with falling prices, means that many homeowners are
looking to cut the cost of selling their property. One way of doing this is by shopping around for an
online service or independent HIP provider, potentially saving hundreds of pounds in fees.
Currently, home information packs can be put together by any company or individual, but many estate
agents recommend clients use a particular solicitor or HIP supplier, in exchange for a commission on each
referral.
However, Hipilo (http://www.hipilo.co.uk) has discovered that an increasing number of agents are
charging validation fees of up to £120 to customers who choose not to use the agent’s recommended HIP
provider.
James Wilson, chief compliance officer with Hipilo, commented: “The HIP market is very
competitive, and the price of putting a pack together can vary enormously, but these charges discourage
homeowners from shopping around. I don’t believe that the charges are justified, and they certainly
make life harder for sellers in an already tough market.”
Hipilo recommends that homeowners looking to save money on compiling a HIP should be sure that they
choose a registered HIP CODE provider, and ensure that the HIP CODE logo is displayed on the provider’s
website and the pack itself. This means the provider has guaranteed to meet minimum quality standards
set out by the Association of Home Information Pack Providers.
-ENDS-
For further information please contact:
James Wilson/Richard Richmond Tel: 01253 712 919
Email: j.wilson@hipsco.co.uk
Notes to editors:
Hipilo (http://www.hipilo.co.uk) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hipsco Ltd. The company was
formed in 2004 and is now one of the largest Home Information Pack providers in England and Wales,
providing HIPs and Energy Performance Certificates to consumers and estate agents. The company is based
in Lytham St Annes, Lancashire and has a national network of more than 2,000 domestic energy assessors.
Further information on the Association of Home Information Pack Providers is available at
www.hipassociation.co.uk
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