News

Firsthips Review - December 2008 - For Agents

Agents' Review Welcome to the December 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.

First day Marketing moved to 6th April

The government has announced that the requirement for a HIP to be available before a property is marketed has now been extended to the 6th April 2009 from the 1st January. From that date it will be illegal to market a property without the essential elements of a HIP although a further 28 days leeway will be granted to cover the searches.

Property Information Forms introduced

As expected the regulations will now provide that a HIP must include a property information questionnaire from the 6th April 2009. When HIPs were first introduced this form was intended to be mandatory, but this was soon dropped along with the requirement for a Home Condition Report. Lawyers have been critical of the government's original decision to drop these forms from the pack and will now await the format of the new forms with considerable interest. The existing forms recommended by the Law Society run into some thirty odd pages and it seems unlikely that the government forms will be quite as comprehensive. The new forms are likely to include such details as flood risk, gas and electricity safety, service charges, structural damage and parking arrangements.

More regulation changes

Among other changes in the regulations, the existing mandatory insurance cover for searches will be extended until 6th April 2009 and the present "temporary" leasehold information provision will be made permanent from 1st January 2009. The new Property Information Questionnaire will also include additional leasehold information. There is no provision for a "drop dead" date when all properties on the market require a HIP.

Government announces study of home buying and selling

The OFT have announced that they will be conducting a comprehensive study of the process of home buying and selling to include:

Competition on prices and quality between service providers
The prospects for new entry by internet property retailers
The extent to which consumer interests are protected by existing regulations.
The study is likely to cover the relationship between estate agents, mortgage brokers, surveyors, conveyancers and other professional advisers.

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"

View testimonials

Great Value Floorplans

Don't forget that we can offer you great value floorplans and professional photographs!

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?

Go to firsthips FAQ

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