Property legal services news

One-fifth of landlords saw arrears in past quarter
27 July 2010

Scrapping landlords' regulation reform 'is short-sighted'
23 July 2010

Housing supply boosted after removal of Hips
22 June 2010

National landlords' register to be scrapped
11 June 2010

Leasehold laws 'in need of upheaval'
8 June 2010

New planning laws 'could stifle recovery'
3 June 2010

Half of households 'dodging HIP regulations'

01 July 2009



Nearly half of all house sales do not comply with mandatory Home Information Packs (HIPs) regulations, a study commissioned by the Conservative Party has revealed. Conducted by Spicerhaart, the survey showed that a HIP was only available and complete in 48 per cent of cases, which it put down to the public being confused over their legal obligations when selling a property.

Grant Shapps, Shadow Minister for Housing, said: "We don't condone breaking the law. But rather than feebly attempt to enforce this bad law, these regulations should just be scrapped." Introduced on 6 April, the restrictions mean that an estate agent is unable to start marketing a property until a HIP including the minimum requirements is made available.

The survey concluded that law-abiding citizens are being put at a disadvantage as a result of the regulations, which is put down to estate agents not making their clients aware of HIP requirements.

Chris Hardy, residential property partner at B P Collins, comments: "While this news does not come as a great surprise it doesn't accord with our own experience. In this area agents and solicitors seem, on the whole, to be well aware of the regulations and keen to observe them. We have refined our own HIP facility which means that we can arrange HIPS quickly and easily online and this is working well."

If you require legal advice, for either your private affairs or organisation, please call Gerrards Cross based B P Collins Solicitors on 01753 889995, complete the online enquiry form or email enquiries@bpcollins.co.uk.

© Copyright