Home Information Packs (Hips) from estate agents can cost over 50% more than those bought directly from a specialist, shows new research from Which? Money.

All homes put up for sale in England and Wales require a Hip, but the consumer champion has found a gulf between the cheapest and most expensive Hips on the market, which could see people paying up to almost £300 over the odds.

Which? Money surveyed some of the major Hip providers and found that Halifax offered the most expensive Hip for a three-bedroom freehold semi-detached property, charging £413. In contrast, online provider Fridays Property Lawyers charged just £189.


The priciest Hip for a two-bedroom leasehold flat was from estate agent Spicerhaart at £516 – a huge £292 more than the cheapest option from direct provider Hip Save.

Which? Money found that although direct providers usually offer the best deals, there were still large differences in price, of as much as £191.

James Daley, Editor, Which? Money, said: "It's now compulsory to get a Home Information Pack before you put your house or flat on the market – in fact, you could be fined up to £200 a day if you don’t get one. But don't be fooled into thinking that you have to buy it from your estate agent. Our research shows that the most expensive high street agents charge over twice as much as the cheapest online Hip providers - so you could save hundred of pounds by shopping around for the best deal."

(CD/BMcc)