Solicitors Information

Local searches

The local council searches are included in the HIP, which is an important document for home buyers and mortgage lenders. During trials it was found that after an offer had been accepted, If problems were then revealed, it often lead to delays, possible re-negotiations or even transactions collapsing altogether. The purpose of the HIP is to have all this vital information available up front, which can expose potential problems right at the beginning of the process. The local search also contains important information that potential purchasers will want to know before they commit to an offer.

Search results are generally accepted for up to three months. However, sellers are not legally required to renew the search after this period. As on-line search information becomes available nationally, we will be able to update this information quickly and economically.

Drainage search

The ODPM envisage that in addition to the standard local searches of information held by local authorities, a water/drainage search will also be included. The Government is considering whether more specific searches (eg an environmental or coal mining search) should be included where appropriate. We think that the more information that is available at the outset the better this will be for all parties, particularly for first time buyers.

Evidence of title

The land registry title documents are also included in the HIP. These prove that the seller is the legal owner of the property and show any other parties that have rights over it, such as a mortgage lender. This would help reveal at the outset any problem affecting the title, which means remedial actions can start immediately rather than after an offer is accepted.

House Inspect are committed to quality, by using a highly reputable firm of solicitors to provide this information in our HIPs.

Potential problems are easily solved.

There are many properties which have no issues at all but occasionally some have rights of way issues, legal covenants, missing covenants or legal restrictions on the property. By using solicitors we can find out exactly what these potential issues are, and most importantly what they mean to potential buyers. A HIP provider that uses a direct search company cannot provide this vital service.

Value for money.

Coffin Mew and Clover have an excellent reputation in Hampshire as being one of the finest solicitors in the county. They are committed to quality and want our HIPs to be of the highest standard. The HIP gives information on what might be the biggest single transaction we make in our life times and people will rely upon the information within it. We believe that we have a commitment to ensure it is of the highest quality we can possibly make it, using solicitors achieves this.

A preferential service available to all.

Coffin Mew and Clover offer a preferential rate for the conveyancing process if a home owner uses a House Inspect HIP. Quite simply they know the quality of the information they will be using, as they produced it in the first instance. This will ensure the conveyancing process is faster and more economical.