The HIP Code
All of the Home Information Pack providers which reallymoving.com recommend have confirmed that they follow the rules of The HIP Code.
The HIP code is owned and maintained by the Association of HIP Providers who also run the Property Codes Compliance Board. Reallymoving.com is an Affiliate Member of AHIPP.
Introduction to The HIP Code
The HIP Code aims to provide 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.
HIP firms can subscribe to the HIP Code as a HIP provider in their own right and/or as a HIP Platform Provider (a PCCB registered HIP Platform Provider indirectly extends HIP Code 'subscription' to users of its platform). A few of the Domestic Energy Assessors on reallymoving.com provide Home Information Packs via the HIP Platform Provider system, which means their HIPs are HIP Code compliant.
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 searching the Register of Firms.
1. Key commitments of The HIP Code:
1.1 We, the subscribers to this Code, promise that we will:
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 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.
2. Complying with legislation, registration rules and standards
2.1 We will comply with all relevant legislation and with guidance issued under that legislation.
2.2 We will comply with the Registration rules and any standards specified by the Property Codes Compliance Board and issued to registered companies.
2.3 We will report to the Property Codes Compliance Board any breach of the HIP Code, Search Code or Home Information Pack legislation of which we become aware and which to our knowledge has been perpetrated by an estate agent, a search provider or a HIP provider
3. HIP Services
Marketing
3.1 We will ensure that the terms and conditions and marketing materials relating to our services (whether printed or in electronic form) are clear, consistent, fair and not misleading.
Charges
3.2 We will tell you the charges and payment terms for any HIP service before it is provided or at any time you ask.
3.3 If additional charges are payable, we will advise you of these and provide you with an indication of cost.
3.4 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
3.5 We will respond to queries raised on HIPs within 7 working days by letter, telephone or email, as you prefer.
Training and Data
3.6 We will train our staff to provide HIP services in accordance with this Code and will monitor their performance.
3.7 We will ensure that all data and information is handled with integrity and in accordance with data protection legislation.
HIP Provision
3.8 We will 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. If there is a delay in producing the HIP, we will inform you of this and why the delay has occurred.
3.9 HIPs will be provided in paper or electronic format, as you prefer. If we make a charge for providing a paper copy we will tell you in advance.
4. Complaints
4.1 We will produce a formal written procedure for handling complaints and we will include this in our HIPs.
4.2 The procedure will advise you that
We will acknowledge a complaint within 5 working days of receipt.
We will normally deal with a complaint fully and provide a final response, in writing, within 20 working days of receipt.
We will keep you informed by letter, telephone or email, as you prefer, if we need more time.
We will provide a final response, in writing, at the latest within 40 working days of receipt.
We will liaise, at your request, with anyone acting formally on your behalf.
If you are not satisfied with our final response, you may refer the complaint to the Independent Property Codes Adjudication Scheme: Telephone 020 7520 3800 Email: info@idrs.ltd.uk
We will co-operate fully with the independent adjudicator during an investigation and comply with the adjudicator’s decision.
If we are a firm of solicitors you can also refer your complaint to the Legal Complaints Service and we will give you their contact details.
5. Insurance
5.1 We will at all times maintain insurance to protect you as prescribed by the Property Codes Compliance Board
6. Monitoring and Compliance
Compliance officer and internal audit
6.1 We will nominate a Code Compliance Officer.
6.2 We will formally audit our compliance with the code at least once a year.
6.3 We will submit a statement of compliance, signed by the senior executive responsible to the Property Code Compliance Board.
Property Codes Compliance Board (the PCCB)
6.4 The Code is monitored and enforced by the Property Codes Compliance Board, which is an independent body funded by registered firms. The Board comprises representatives of search companies, conveyancers and HIP providers, and has a majority of consumer interest members.
6.5 We will readily facilitate and comply fully with any inspection of our compliance undertaken by the Board.
6.6 Complaints concerning the general operation of the Code can be made to the PCCB.
The address is:
The Property Codes Compliance Board
212 Piccadilly
London W1J 9HG
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 and statutory authorities or by private search firms which are currently registered with the PCCB.
Retain for a minimum of six years the latest version of a HIP provided by us.
Display the Code logo prominently in our HIPs.
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.
Third edition: April 2009 Published by the Association of Home Information Pack Providers