First HIP for Shropshire home

Shropshire’s first Home Information Pack completed for Shrewsbury house

The very first Home Information Pack (HIP) in Shropshire has been produced by Hatchers Solicitors of Shrewsbury on the instructions of estate agents Halls.

From 1 June 2007 all properties will need their own HIP before they are put on the market, but the two firms took the groundbreaking step of producing Shropshire’s first HIP in advance of the new rules, as part of a co-ordinated drive by Shrewsbury and North Shropshire solicitors and estate agents to ensure a smooth transition to the new system.

“The pack brings together in one place the legal and practical information that a buyer and their solicitor will need to know about the two-bedroomed detached house in Falcon’s Way, Shrewsbury , which is being marketed by Halls,” said Jacinta Walmsley who heads Hatchers’ residential conveyancing team. “It includes proof of legal ownership and boundaries as well as the property’s planning history. Also contained in the HIP is an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) – a brand new standard introduced by the Government as part of its policy to tackle climate change. The EPC is an indication to prospective buyers of how energy efficient a property is.

“We were delighted at how smoothly the HIP came together, particularly as the title to the property was unregistered, which we thought might cause delays. The EPC was produced by Isherwoods surveyors of Whitchurch and the HIP assembled using MDA Advantage–Searchflow electronic technology. The guidance we got from that organisation in putting together the components of our first pack was invaluable. The whole thing was done and dusted within eight working days of us being instructed by Guy Bielby at Halls and a paper version of the HIP was available on 30 January.”