News
Firsthips Review - August 2008 - For Agents
Welcome to the August 2008 issue of the Firsthips Review which includes news, advice and articles from the HIP industry front-line. We
welcome comments and suggestions for additional content.
Automated Deferred Payment
In light of news that HPS (HIP Payment Services) ceases to trade from 31st August 2008, we are pleased to announce our new
partnership with Close Brothers to provide deferred payments to its clients.
Consultation on HIPs
Firsthips supports the government's issue of a consultation document aimed at exploring opinion on the introduction of a mandatory "Home Use Form" in a HIP. The Home Use Form is intended to provide buyers with useful information about the property such as changes needing planning permission and building regulation approval, and the existence of guarantees. The form will also provide information on any lease to include details of the landlord and any service charges.
The draft of the form covers many questions that are raised by conveyancers within the existing framework of preliminary enquiries during the initial process. Unfortunately the proposed form is not as comprehensive as the existing forms recommended by the Law Society so it is unlikely that the inclusion of the forms in their current format will do much to speed up the process as conveyancers will inevitably have to raise a great deal more additional enquiries before they can recommend their clients to proceed.
Regardless of the outcome of the final format of the Home Use Form, any plan to add additional information to the HIP that will assist the buyer is to be welcomed and will go some way towards implementing the original plan of providing a comprehensive "exchange-ready" HIP.
New HIP association established
A new organisation, The Independent Pack Providers Association has been established by 30 independent Pack Providers across England and Wales with the objective of providing a benchmark of quality and compliance for its members. The association is aimed at the smaller pack providers and has started to lobby the CLG to enforce HIP regulations more robustly.
Getting the most from HIPs
Automated Deferred Payment
Firsthips has introduced a new clearer, simplified and automated process of deferred payment
Did You Know?
- Sellers and buyers can track the HIP and can also communicate with all parties via the message centre
- Sellers lawyers can make the draft contract available to the buyer's lawyer through the Firsthips system
- You can track when buyers have viewed the HIP
Why They Choose Us!
- "The system online is easy and straight forward"
- "Despite dreading the introduction of HIPS I was surprised how easy it was to organise instructing a HIP"
- "Firsthips have made everything so uncomplicated with a speedy, cost effective service and a very easy to use website that even a technophobe like me can use!"
- "With the use of the online training and tracking facility we have found the system both user friendly and professional"
- "We have used Firsthips for the production of all our Home Information Packs and have found the system to be user friendly, efficient and the level of support offered to us has been excellent"
Great Value Floorplans from £15+VAT
NRG Experts, an EPC
supplier to Firsthips users are pleased to be able to offer Floorplans on properties from 1 June. Delivered electronically to the
solicitor/agency office and in a high-resolution jpeg format suitable for all leading estate agency software. The floorplans are created
using CAD software and include square footage details and annotated kitchen appliances and bathroom fittings. Dimensions are also
included but can be removed on request. The cost for a floorplan is simply £15 for each property from 1 to 6 bedrooms when added to
the EPC visit by an NRG Experts energy assessor.
Any Feedback?
If you have any feedback regarding this newsletter, the firsthips system, HIPs in general or any stories you think are relevant and would like us to publish in the next newsletter, then please contact us.
Help and Advice?
We regularly update our FAQ section with useful and relevant information for our clients. Recent entries include some of the latest government clarifications regarding market concerns such as:
- What constitutes marketing, and do 'informal or one-off viewings' trigger the HIP duties?
- What constitutes requesting or ordering a HIP?
- Do EPC graphs need to be included in the estate agents particulars?
Keep up to date with the latest developments. Subscribe to our newsletter.Success stories
- 97% of EPCs ready within 3 days
- Some EPCs produced in less than 48 hours!
- HIPs assembled in less than 3 days
- Lawyer gains new conveyancing business using Firsthips
Key Features
- HIPs at competitive prices
- No investment or long term commitment
- Seller pays by debit/credit card or deferred payment up to 9 months
- Take instructions with a one page simple form
- Prospective buyers can securely view and print the HIP online
- Estate agent can track viewings
- Keep control over the complete process
- The most flexible system. Fully automated or use your own suppliers for selected elements
- EPC competitively priced from a nationwide panel or use your own DEA
- Searches from a nationwide established group or use your own supplier
- Communicate with all parties through the secure message centre
- Document management enables you to have draft contract and any other documents you require per case
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