my home energy blog

Finally got paid

Stuart White — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:38:36 +0000

We it took almost 3 months, but with the rental market being so competitive, some landlords are looking at longer void periods. Rather unfairly, they are taking out their cash flow problems on me.

I did get paid without too much aggravation, but I of course prefer cash or a cheque on the day of the survey.

Impartial advice on HIP from Which? magazine

Stuart White — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 09:04:00 +0000

There are good articles in both Which? and Money Which? in the September issues. Of the 2 articles the most information is in Money Which? If you don’t subscribe to Which? then your local library might. Ours does.Or Which? has a web site at www.which.co.uk/hips that covers this subject.

But do try to read Money Which? as it has average prices for HIP leasehold, freehold and gives a fair and balenced view of the industry.

You’d better shop around…

Stuart White — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 13:16:58 +0000

There’s a very good article in the Guardian Money section about Home Information Packs and there variations in price.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2009/aug/19/home-information-pack-hips

Most dedicated suppliers were found to be much cheaper than estate agents in supplying the packs. We charge a fixed fee of; £290 or £300 leasehold and no VAT.

Holiday season blues

Stuart White — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 14:21:02 +0000

August seems to have run out of steam. At little bubbling under but not as healthy as last month. I’ve increased my advertising spend, with banner ads and listings in 2 local press titles. I’m pleased with the results, just waiting for more instructions.

A busy month

Stuart White — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 16:39:50 +0000

Well July is becoming a bumper month. The phone’s been very busy and the traffic to the site is increasing.

I’m hopeful that this will continue into August.

First HIP delivered in 16 working days

Stuart White — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 20:53:06 +0000

Well so far so good. I’ve just delivered my first Home Information Pack in 16 days. It could have been quicker but the Property Information Questionnaire (PIQ) didn’t arrive until earlier this week (day 13).

I think I could have been even quicker perhaps 11 days, if I had the PIQ earlier.

Home information packs

Stuart White — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 22:03:07 +0000

I’ve just started to offer these and I have customers. There seems to be a lot of interest more so that just EPCs. I’ve priced my service at £290 freehold and £300 leasehold for any size property. My turnaround time is approximately 14 days. I’m able to offer an online service with full visibility on the pack’s progress to completion.

So far, so good.

Home information packs and EPCs

Stuart White — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 21:58:22 +0000

I’m getting many more enquiries for HIP (Home Information Packs) than I am EPCs via the Internet. I assume that because of the higher cost, the public are keener to shop around and the savings are greater - it’s something worth doing.

Any other ideas why enquiries are much higher for HIPs than EPCs?

EPCs need to be policed, fines increased

Stuart White — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 09:34:30 +0000

A recent article, in which a landlord was given a 12 month prison sentence for not complying with Multiple Home Occupancy (MHO) rules and an earlier £20,000 fine caused me to wonder how the fine (£200) for non compliance of epc is expected to work. Another a local landlord in Hemel Hempstead who knew if he was caught could face a fine of £20,000 - was fined £7,000 and £1,000 costs.

How then is a £200 fine meant to be a deterrent?

Home information

Stuart White — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 14:55:03 +0000

I’ve decided that having been asked by a number of clients and prospective estate agents to offer the Home Information Pack (HIP).

I’ll be offering an electronic version for a simple set price that’s likely to be around £300 with no VAT to pay.

More details when the service starts later this month.