Important Consumer Protection Information

This search has been produced by [insert the firm’s Name and Trading Name, postal address, phone number and e-mail address] which is registered with the Property Codes Compliance Board (PCCB) as a subscriber to the Search Code. The PCCB independently monitors how registered firms maintain compliance with the Code.

The Search Code provides protection for homebuyers, sellers, conveyancers and mortgage lenders who rely on property search reports carried out on residential property within the United Kingdom. It sets out minimum standards which firms compiling and/or selling search reports have to meet. By giving you this information, your search provider is confirming that they keep to the principles of the Code. This provides important protection for you.

The Code’s core principles
Search providers which subscribe to the Code will:

• Display the Code logo prominently on their search reports.
• Act with integrity and carry out work with due skill, care and diligence.
• At all times maintain adequate and appropriate insurance to protect consumers.
• Conduct business in an honest, fair and professional manner.
• Handle complaints speedily and fairly.
• Ensure that all search services comply with the law, registration rules and standards.
• Monitor their compliance with the Code.

Complaints

If you have a query or complaint about your search, you should raise it directly with the search firm, and if appropriate ask for any complaint to be considered under their formal internal complaints procedure. If you remain dissatisfied with the firm’s final response, after your complaint has been formally considered, or if the firm has exceeded the response timescales, you may refer your complaint for consideration under The Property Ombudsman scheme (TPOs). The Ombudsman can award compensation of up to £5,000 to you if he finds that you have suffered actual loss as a result of your search provider failing to keep to the Code.

Please note that all queries or complaints regarding your search should be directed to your search provider in the first instance, not to TPOs or to the PCCB.

TPOs Contact Details:
The Property Ombudsman scheme
Beckett House
4 Bridge Street
Salisbury
Wiltshire SP1 2LX
Tel: 01722 333306
Fax: 01722 332296
Email: admin@tpos.co.uk

You can get more information about the PCCB from www.propertycodes.org.uk.

PLEASE ASK YOUR SEARCH PROVIDER IF YOU WOULD LIKE A COPY OF THE SEARCH CODE

Important Consumer Protection Information

This Home Information Pack (HIP) has been produced by [insert the firm’s Name and Trading Name, postal address, phone number, and e-mail address] which is registered with the Property Codes Compliance Board (PCCB) as a subscriber to the HIP Code. The PCCB independently monitors how registered firms maintain compliance with the Code.

The HIP Code provides protection for homebuyers, sellers, conveyancers and mortgage lenders, who rely on information included within a Home Information Pack provided on residential property within England and Wales. It sets out minimum standards which firms providing HIPs have to meet. By giving you this information, your HIP provider is confirming that they keep to the principles of the HIP Code. This provides important protection for you.

The Code’s main commitments The HIP Code’s key commitments say that HIP providers will:

• Display the Code logo prominently in our HIPs.
• Provide HIPs promptly. If there is a delay in producing the HIP, we will inform you of this and why the delay has occurred.
• Train our staff properly to provide HIPs with thoroughness and diligence, in line with the commitments set out in this Code.
• Respond promptly to queries raised on a HIP, to ensure improved understanding.
• Handle complaints speedily and fairly.
• At all times maintain insurance to protect you as prescribed by the PCCB.
• Act with integrity and ensure that all HIPs services comply with relevant laws, regulations, and industry standards.

Complaints

If you have a query or complaint about your HIP, you should raise it directly with the HIP provider, and if appropriate ask for any complaint to be considered under their formal internal complaints procedure. If you remain dissatisfied with the firm’s final response, after your complaint has been formally considered, or if the firm has exceeded the response timescales, you may refer your complaint for consideration under The Property Ombudsman scheme (TPOs). The Ombudsman can award compensation of up to £5,000 to you if he finds that you have suffered actual loss as a result of your HIP provider failing to keep to the Code.

Please note that all queries or complaints regarding your HIP should be directed to your HIP provider in the first instance, not to TPOs or to the PCCB.

TPOs Contact Details: The Property Ombudsman scheme
Beckett House
4 Bridge Street
Salisbury
Wiltshire SP1 2LX
Tel: 01722 333306
Fax: 01722 332296
Email: admin@tpos.co.uk

You can get more information about the PCCB from www.propertycodes.org.uk.

PLEASE ASK YOUR HIP PROVIDER IF YOU WOULD LIKE A COPY OF THE HIP CODE.