Personal Finance News

01/11/12 - Money advice in increasing demand, says study
31/10/12 - Payment barriers exist for disabled and older people, says study
31/10/12 - Gender differences apparent when financial planning
31/10/12 - Half of Brits shop with a basic credit card, says study
30/10/12 - Number of Brits sitting on forgotten direct debits - 2.68 million

News archive

News

17/09/2008 11:14:53

Hips give buyers 'something for nothing'

A removal of Home Information Packs (Hips) would be a "shame" for first-time buyers as they provide them with information they do not have to pay for, according to one expert.

The managing director of FirstRungNow says the packs, which include information such as local searches, evidence of title and an Energy Performance Certificate, benefit first-time buyers.

Helen Adams states: "From a first-time buyer perspective it would be a shame to remove them because the more information you have on a place that you are going to buy the better and, of course, it would be of no cost to them."

She explains that Hips can flag up things before a prospective buyer pays for a survey or search.

However, Ms Adams adds that the success of the scheme cannot be judged yet as there have not been enough house sales.

The packs were introduced from August 2007 on a phased basis and since December that year every home put on the market requires one.

An IPSOS Mori Poll carried out for the government in March 2008 found that 41 per cent of buyers felt that Hips did not make the buying process any simpler.

Your Financial Adviser	General Financial Planning	Investment & Saving	Retirement Planning	Personal Insurance	Mortgages & Loans
Find An Independent or Restricted Financial Adviser	Why financial planning and your financial planner is important	Get Investment Advice and Make the Most of Your Money	Financial Retirement Planning for your future with a financial adviser	Personal Financial Insurance Advice for you and your family	Borrowing and Repaying Money: Mortgage, Debt and Loan Advice
What to expect from an FSA authorised financial adviser	Plan with the help of a financial advisor to achieve your financial goals	Investments Advice and Money Savings Advice	Get Retirement Advice – Take action to enjoy life after work	Life Insurance Advice – Preparing for the unexpected	Mortgage advice from your adviser – How mortgages work
Financial Risks, Financial Planner Qualifications and the Financial Adviser	Importance of Financial Planning	Savings Accounts and Saving for The Future	Saving for Retirement – There are a variety of ways to save	A range of different insurances	Credit Advice – How much can you borrow
Find A Financial Adviser	Strategic Financial Planning in Your Twenties	Shares, the Stock Market and Property Investing advice	Pensions Advice – Existing pension plans	Health insurance Advice	The different types of mortgages
	Financial Planning Priorities in your thirties	Different types of investment	When to retire? Practical ways to secure comfortable retirement	Review Your Insurance and Protection Plans	Understanding mortgage fees and charges
	Refining your finance planning in your forties	Prioritising your investment strategies and goals	Pension Advice from an Financial Adviser	Getting help from a local financial adviser or financial planner	New mortgage, Remortgage or buy to let – Mortgage advice to suit you