B P Collins Solicitors: talk to the experts
Gerrards Cross: +44(0) 1753 889995
Beaconsfield: +44(0) 1494 675363
Related stories
Selecting the right tenant 'is vital'
2 December 2008
Property repairs 'need to follow regulations'
1 December 2008
Landlords 'need input from agents'
1 December 2008
Mortgage lenders 'asked to review their advice'
28 November 2008
Hips enforcement welcomed
02 October 2008
The Association of Home Information Pack Providers (Ahipp) has welcomed a new investigation into the home information packs (Hips) put together by several estate agencies.
Birmingham Trading Standards took a sample of Hips from 15 local estate agencies and chose to analyse six.
Of those investigated, five were deemed to be unsatisfactory and failed to provide required information.
Responding to the findings, Paul Broadhead, deputy director general of Ahipp, said he welcomed such "robust policing" of the Hip regulations.
"It is not surprising given the explosion of non-HIP Code registered providers recently that mistakes are being made and corners are being cut," he remarked.
All estate agents are now required by law to join a redress scheme in order to more effectively deal with complaints and award compensation to consumers.
Mr Broadhead said all of Ahipp's members are also required to agree to the Hip Code, which provides consumers, estate agents, conveyancers and lenders with access to an independent redress system.
