First-time buyers 'should shop around for Hips'

24-Aug-2009

When it comes to mortgage comparison, house-hunters, including first-time buyers, should be able to shop around for home information packs (Hips) as well.

This is according to HIPHIPhooray, an independent provider of the service, which has claimed it is wrong for estate agents to not offer potential buyers a choice in where they purchase their Hips.

Lesley Sorridimi, a spokesperson for the group, said agents should provide the service, but house-hunters should be able to browse the market for alternatives.

"I think it is absolutely right that people should have a choice ... [of] where they can buy their home information pack," she said.

"Estate agents are right to charge a retail price and consumers have a right to shop around," Ms Sorridimi added.

Hips from housing outlets can cost some 50 per cent more than those bought from a specialist, according to a recently published report from Which?.

The packs were made obligatory for all homes put on the market in England and Wales, as of August 1st 2007.

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