The HIP Code
Introduction
The HIP Code provides protection for homebuyers, sellers, estate agents, conveyancers and mortgage lenders who rely on the information included in a Home Information Pack (HIP) provided on residential property within England and Wales. It sets out minimum standards which HIP providers have to meet.
The HIP Code is owned and maintained by the Association of Home Information Pack Providers (AHIPP).
All HIPs which comply with this Code will include the HIP Code logo and you can check whether a HIP provider subscribes to the Code by contacting the Property Codes Compliance Board www.propertycodes.org.uk.
1. Key commitments
1.1 We, the subscribers to this Code, promise that we will:
• Ensure that the terms and conditions of our HIP services comply with this Code.
• Display the Code logo prominently in our HIPs.
• Provide HIPs promptly. We will not delay, nor accept instructions to delay, the provision of a HIP or of any item required for inclusion in a HIP. Any action taken (or failure to take action) knowingly to delay the provision of a HIP would not be compliant with this Code. 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 adequate and appropriate indemnity insurance cover to protect you.
• Act with integrity and ensure that all HIPs services comply with relevant laws, regulations, and industry standards.
2. Complying with the law and industry standards
2.1 We will act with integrity and ensure that all our HIP services comply with relevant laws and regulations, as well as any industry standards which have been specified by the Property Codes Compliance Board.
3. HIP Services
Marketing
3.1 We will ensure that all literature, terms, conditions and advertisements are clear, fair, reasonable, accurate and not misleading.
Charges
3.2 We will tell you the charges for any HIP service before it is provided or at any time you ask.
3.2 If additional charges are payable, we will advise you of these and provide you with an indication of cost.
3.3 If payment for the HIP service is deferred by us or if we provide financing arrangements for the HIP service, we will tell you this before the service is provided.
Queries
3.4 We will respond promptly to any query raised on a HIP in writing, via telephone or email, as appropriate.
Training and Data
3.5 We will train our staff to provide HIP services with thoroughness and diligence in line with the commitments set out in this Code.
3.6 We will ensure that all data and information is handled with integrity and in accordance with data protection legislation.
HIP Provision
3.7 We will provide HIPs promptly. If there is a delay in producing the HIP, we will inform you of this and why the delay has occurred. HIPs will be available in either a paper or electronic format, as appropriate.
4. Complaints
4.1 We have a formal written complaints procedure for handling complaints speedily and fairly and we will tell you what this is. If you wish to make a complaint, it will be handled as follows:
• The complaint will be acknowledged within 5 working days of receipt.
• A complaint will normally be dealt with fully within 4 weeks of its receipt. If there are valid reasons for the consideration taking longer, you will be kept fully informed in writing or via telephone or email as you prefer and receive a response at the very latest within 8 weeks.
• At your request, we will liaise with counselling organisations acting on your behalf.
• A final decision will be in writing or via email, as appropriate.
• If you are not satisfied with the final outcome, you may refer the complaint to the Independent Property Codes Adjudication Scheme and we will give you contact details.
• We will co-operate fully with the independent adjudicator during the resolution investigation and comply with any decision
5. Insurance
5.1 We will at all times maintain adequate and appropriate insurance to protect you against both negligence and loss, due to our failure to perform our duties under this Code
6. Monitoring and Compliance
Compliance officer and internal audit
6.1 We have a Code Compliance Officer and our internal auditing procedures monitor compliance with the Code.
Property Codes Compliance Board (the PCCB)
6.2 The Code is monitored by the Property Codes Compliance Board, which is an independent body funded by registered firms. Its Board comprises representatives of lenders, conveyancers, HIP providers, search organisations and has a majority of consumer interest members.
The address is:
The Property Codes Compliance Board
212 Piccadilly
London W1J 9HG
6.3 Complaints concerning the general operation of the Code can be made to the PCCB.
Statement of Compliance
6.4 We will complete a Statement of Compliance every year, which is signed by our senior executive and sent to the Property Codes Compliance Board.
7. Information in the HIP
7.1 We will:
• Only use Home Condition Reports which are provided by licensed Home Inspectors
• Only use Energy Performance Certificates which are provided by registered Home Inspectors or accredited Domestic Energy Assessors.
• Only use searches supplied by local authorities, water and sewerage companies, statutory authorities and private search firms which subscribe to the Search Code.
• Retain for a minimum of six years the latest version of a HIP provided by us.
8. Review of the HIP Code
8.1 This HIP Code will be reviewed at regular intervals with key industry bodies, to ensure best practice in HIP ordering, processing and delivery.
