From This is Money:
Some firms charge double to compile a pack than a specialist provider, according to a report by Which? today.
The net result is that sellers can pay around £300 more than if they had shopped around.
The estate agent arm of the Halifax was found to be the most costly for a typical three bed semi-detached property.
It charged £413 ? 118% more than the £189 bill from an online provider called Fridays Property Lawyers. The Government forced the Hips on to home sellers in 2007 despite opposition from estate agents, solicitors, surveyors and mortgage providers.
It claimed that providing information such as planning searches and an energy performance certificate would speed up the sale process.
The priciest HIP for a two-bedroom leasehold flat was from estate agent Spicerhaart at £516 – £292 more than the cheapest from direct provider HIP Save.
The packs for leasehold properties are more complex due to the need to gather information on the lease, se…
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