More Hips complications as they become ''free''

Estate agents which offer free Home Information Packs (Hips) may not be offering a good deal as they might try to make their money back elsewhere, according to one firm.

Hips Direct, which also offers Hips, said that people selling their homes are better off buying their own Hips and negotiating for lower fees from their estate agents.

Otherwise they will unknowingly pay for the "free" Hip through higher agency fees or other increased rates.

"There will be every conceivable combination of offers out there, but the fact remains, somewhere along the line there are costs attached to this HIP and those costs will be passed on to the customer," said Howard Grade from the firm.

"Agents put their agency fee or standard sales fee to one and a half or even two per cent and then say the Hips are free. But it''s all a bit smoke and mirrors," he added.

The price of such a pack is estimated to be around £200 although prices will vary from free to £300.


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