Severn Trent Searches Announces £300 HIP

Severn Trent Searches (STS), the biggest conveyancing search provider in the Midlands, has announced that its Home Information Pack (HIP) will cost £300.

HIPs become mandatory for all properties with 4 or more bedrooms from 1 August. Despite the additional costs involved in completing HIPs on larger houses Severn Trent Searches is charging a single price for all homes.

"We decided to launch with a consistent price to avoid confusing our customers. We didn't think they should be penalised because of last minute changes to the HIPs legislation," says General Manager, Mark Jarvis. "Although it costs us more we are not going to charge a premium on larger houses - the price will be the same when all homes are covered by HIPs in a few months time."

Conveyancing solicitors and estate agents can order an STS HIP using the company's online service or through the post. HIPs can either be ordered either as an STS branded product or in a 'white label' format so that customers can add their own branding.

The company already undertakes 200,000 conveyancing searches each year and is introducing its HIP service alongside its existing official CON29DW Drainage and Water search and other stand alone products.

"STS already has the search infrastructure, trained staff and service levels in place to deliver a fast and cost-effective HIP service," says Mark Jarvis. "There will be a lot of new players in the HIP market and not all will survive, especially given the extra costs involved in the delayed introduction of HIPs. Conveyancers need to think very carefully about investing their time and resources in the right HIP provider if they want to maintain a good relationship with their own customers."

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