Once you have decided to sell your house, whether because you are relocating with your job or downsizing after children have left home, you will want to move as quickly as possible.

From 1 August 2007 new legislation means that when selling a four-bedroomed or larger home you have to provide a Home Information Pack (HIP). This must contain information usually gathered by your solicitor when you buy a house but, from now on, it is your responsibility to provide it when you sell.

If, as a private seller, you market your home without a HIP, there is a £200 penalty.

Legal expertise

The HIP is an extension of the legal process of buying a home. As a long established law firm with a highly regarded residential property team, Barber Titleys has become a HIP provider.

We offer two HIP packages to make selling your home as fast and trouble free as possible.

One of the many advantages of buying a HIP from us is that it will belong to you and not your estate agent. This means that, if you decide to change your agent at any time, your HIP can move with you.

Advanced HIP

We believe that, if something is worth doing, it is worth doing as well as possible.

Our Advanced HIP is a more comprehensive professional appraisal than the law requires. To give you greater control, and accelerate the selling process, the Advanced HIP:

• Is a thorough, pro-active service addressing all the legal practicalities of selling your home.
• Anticipates essential legal questions from buyers' solicitors.
• Keeps you one step ahead so that you avoid last-minute pitfalls and delays.

Basic HIP

For those who are not in a particular hurry and are happy to let the selling process take its course, we can provide our Basic HIP.

This is a straightforward service which complies with the new legislation by providing a copy of the title, searches and standard enquiry forms - even though these will not be completed.

Technology

We have also upgraded our technology so our new HIPS can be provided fast and efficiently through a range of electronic formats including a memory stick, disk, our website, an estate agents' website or on paper.

Fees

Both of our HIPS are available for a single cost-effective fee. This can usually be deferred until the sale is completed.

GET HIP to our new service

Selling and buying a home is likely to be the biggest transaction you will ever make.

Now the government's introduction of HIPS has placed more regulations - and penalties - on sellers than ever before. HIPs are an extension of the legal process of selling your home and it is important that you are looked after by professionals who understand all the requirements.

Barber Titleys has a specialist residential conveyancing team, which has helped tens of thousands of people throughout the UK move home, with minimum fuss, creating maximum peace of mind.

We are a natural choice to help you to address the requirements of the HIP. If you are considering selling your home, contact us first so we can get your HIP underway promptly.

The next step

You must have a HIP in place before you offer you offer your home for sale. To learn more about our service and to put our residential conveyancing team at your disposal, contact us.