PCCB registration rules

This Annex includes prescribed information which must be included by Registered Firms within a search report or Home Information Pack.

Search Code: Registered Firms

The following prescribed information must be included within each search report by registered firms subscribing to the Search Code: Compilers.

Important Consumer Protection Information

This search has been produced by [Name and Trading Name/contact details] which is registered with the Property Codes Compliance Board as a subscriber to the Search 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 organisations compiling and/or selling search reports have to meet. This information is designed to introduce the Search Code to you.

By giving you this information, your search organisation is confirming that they keep to the principles of the Search Code. This provides important protection for you.

The Code’s main commitments

The Search Code’s key commitments say that search organisations will:

Provide search reports which include the most up-to-date available information when compiled and an accurate report of the risks associated with the property.
Deal promptly with queries raised on search reports.
Handle complaints speedily and fairly.
At all times maintain adequate and appropriate insurance cover to protect you.
Act with integrity and ensure that all search services comply with relevant laws, regulations and industry standards.

Keeping to the Search Code

How search organisations maintain compliance with the Search Code is monitored independently by the Property Codes Compliance Board (PCCB). If you have a query or complaint about your search, you should raise it directly with the search firm, and if appropriate ask for your complaint to be considered under their formal internal complaints procedure. If you remain dissatisfied with the firm’s final resolution after your complaint has been formally considered or if the firm has exceeded the response timescales, you may refer your complaint to the Independent Property Codes Adjudication Scheme (IPCAS). IPCAS can award compensation of up to £5,000 to you if it finds that you have suffered 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 IPCAS.

IPCAS Contact Details:

Telephone: 020 7520 3800
E-mail: info@idrs.ltd.uk

You can also get more information about the PCCB and IPCAS from the PCCB website at: www.propertycodes.org.uk.

PLEASE ASK YOUR SEARCH ORGANISATION IF YOU WOULD LIKE A COPY OF THE FULL SEARCH CODE.

HIP Code: Registered Firms

The following prescribed information must be included within each Home Information Pack.

Important Consumer Protection Information

This Home Information Pack (HIP) has been produced by [Name and Trading Name/contact details] which is registered with the Property Codes Compliance Board as a subscriber to the HIP 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 organisations providing HIPs have to meet. This information is designed to introduce the HIP Code to you.

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 organisations will:

Provide HIPs promptly and include the most up-to-date available information when compiled.
Handle complaints speedily and fairly.
Respond promptly to queries raised on a HIP, to ensure improved understanding.
At all times maintain adequate and appropriate insurance cover to protect you.
Act with integrity and ensure that all HIP services comply with relevant laws, regulations and industry standards

Keeping to the HIP Code

How HIP providers maintain compliance with the HIP Code is monitored independently by the Property Codes Compliance Board (PCCB). If you have a query or complaint about your HIP, you should raise it directly with the firm, and if appropriate ask for your complaint to be considered under their formal internal complaints procedure. If you remain dissatisfied with the firm’s final resolution after your complaint has been formally considered or if the firm has exceeded the response timescales, you may refer your complaint to the Independent Property Codes Adjudication Scheme (IPCAS). IPCAS can award compensation of up to £5,000 to you if it finds that you have suffered 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 IPCAS.

IPCAS Contact Details:

Telephone: 020 7520 3800
E-mail: info@idrs.ltd.uk

You can also get more information about the PCCB and IPCAS from the PCCB website at: www.propertycodes.org.uk.

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

Consumer information (Annex E)

Search Code: Registered Firms

Important Consumer Protection Information

The Code’s main commitments

Keeping to the Search Code

HIP Code: Registered Firms

Important Consumer Protection Information

The Code’s main commitments

Keeping to the HIP Code