Do estate agents offer HIPS as part of their service?

[Sarah_W]

I'm going to put a flat on the makret in 3 weeks and having not sold a place since HIPS came in, do estate agents normally cover the cost of the HIP when you sell through them, or is it worth getting one done yourself beforehand in order to have more bargaining power to get a lower percentage fee from the agent?

[scenario8]

Some do. Most don't offer hips as included within their fee for a variety of reasons. Most will happily offer the service of providing a hip for an additional fee, usually through a third party with whom they have an arrangement. Often this party will be offered as your conveyancing solicitor with a reduced charge for the hip.

In my opinion choosing the best agent for your needs is unlikely to be due to whether they include a "free" hip.

There are a number of threads running about which is the "best" hip provider. Many state the best hip is the cheapest hip.

Edited by scenario8 on Tuesday 26th January 00:22