Hipag Services has released the first guide for consumers explaining the contents of the government's controversial Home Information Packs (Hips).

Hips were extended to all UK properties last year and are intended to make the homebuying process easier by increasing transparency and collating all relevant documents into one simple pack.

While the Energy Performance Certificates they contain received a warm welcome across the industry, many people have complained that other aspects of the packs are confusing and in fact make buying or selling a new home more difficult.

Hipag's chief executive Rob Hailstone said that his firm's new guide is written in "layman's language" and seeks to "de-mystify" the perceived bureaucracy behind the documents.

He added: "The guide is also designed to help achieve one of the primary aims of Hips - to make the process more transparent and more painless. This is one of many innovative initiatives that we will be introducing over the next few months."

Each of the documents incorporated in a Hip is explained by the guide, including Land Registry title plans, copy leases, water and drainage searches and all relevant registers.

© Adfero Ltd

Author:  Joanne McCabe

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