HIP problems arise when people inherit houses

When HIPs are introduced as compulsory on June 1st, there will be problems for people who inherit homes after the death of the previous occupant, according to some property experts.

The National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) has said that houses which were bought before 1988 will not be registered for the packs and so there will be problems for the beneficiaries as they won''t know where the title deeds are located.

Charles Smailes, from the NAEA, said: "The deceased probably didn''t tell their beneficiaries where the title deeds were being held so a circular letter is sent out to all clearing banks saying do you have these and to all lenders saying do you have these?

"That can take weeks. This legislation does not take into account that fact."

He said another problem is that many homes are sold by public auction and this takes place very quickly within five weeks so the new legislation needs to also take account of this.


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