Government warning to HIPs providers

Posted on 13 February 2008 by (c) 2008 iCrossing Ltd.

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The government has warned providers of Home Information Packs (HIPs) not to take shortcuts in obtaining legal proof of property ownership.

In an email sent to members of the HIP industry, the department of Communities and Local Government said it was aware that some HIP providers were including 'Register Views' obtained from Land Registry Direct as evidence of title.

However, it stressed that the HIP regulations require an 'official copy' of the individual register and title plan.

Obtaining the two official copies costs £6, just £3 more than a Register View. However, official copies are admissible as evidence in court, and the Land Registry will indemnify people against any mistakes they contain.

"Official copies are required as these are encrypted documents that the Land Registry will stand by - if there are any errors in the register for example - and are therefore acceptable during the conveyancing process," the email explains.

"Although the information they contain is similar, register views have no such status," it adds.

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