Press release from the Federation of Property Information Providers:
Clear evidence confirms that Personal Searches are as accurate as Local Authority Searches
- Independent assessment by Property Codes Compliance Board
- Results clearly demonstrate no difference in accuracy or completeness
- Personal Searches have more ‘additional information’
The Federation of Property Information Providers (FPIP) today welcomed the publication of the results of an audit carried out by the Property Codes Compliance Board (PCCB), the independent regulatory body responsible for maintaining and enforcing standards in the property information sector. The detailed audit of over 900 search answers revealed that Personal Searches are just as reliable as those provided direct by the local authority, with overall good quality standards from both sources.
The compliance exercise was carried out by the PCCB late in 2009. The series of pro-active spot checks was specifically designed to scrutinise the content of Personal Search reports from companies that subscribe to the Search Code - the voluntary protocol adopted by most Property Search Providers - and compare them to local authority searches carried out on the same property. The exercise has confirmed without doubt that there is no significant difference between the two types of report.
Responding to today’s results, Kate Nicholls, Chief Executive of the Council of Property Search Organisations (CoPSO) said:
“This test puts to an end once and for all the myth that Local Authority Searches are in some way better than Search Code-backed Personal Searches. The evidence is clear – that overall, there is no difference when it comes to completeness and accuracy of the searches. In fact, evidence suggests that some Personal Searches contain useful additional data.
We welcome the report, but it is worth noting that only Personal Searches that are covered by the Search Code were tested. It is therefore essential to make sure that if you are using a Personal Search provider that they are a member of the Search Code or COPSO.
COPSO members are constantly seeking ways to improve services and standards across the industry. We believe that independent regulation is key to this, and we look forward to sharing these findings with conveyancers, lenders and local authorities so we can continue to improve the quality and accessability of property data for the benefit of homebuyers.”
Mike Ockenden, Chief Executive of AHIPP and FPIP said:
“These results highlight once again the importance to estate agents, conveyancers and home buyers and sellers of only using HIPs provided by HIP Code subscribers. If a HIP carries the HIP Code logo, you can be sure that it contains all the relevant information, is accurate, up to date and above all reliable. Where a personal search is included in a HIP produced by a HIP Code subscriber, it must be provided by a Search Code Subscriber and these results show it is every bit as accurate as a local authority produced search. Buyers conveyancers can rely on the contents of a pack carrying the code logo to move transactions forward at a quicker pace, and remember there is always the Professional Indemnity Insurance of the subscriber to provider reassurance.”
Clear evidence confirms that Personal Searches are as accurate as Local Authority Searches
- Independent assessment by Property Codes Compliance Board
- Results clearly demonstrate no difference in accuracy or completeness
- Personal Searches have more ‘additional information’
The Federation of Property Information Providers (FPIP) today welcomed the publication of the results of an audit carried out by the Property Codes Compliance Board (PCCB), the independent regulatory body responsible for maintaining and enforcing standards in the property information sector. The detailed audit of over 900 search answers revealed that Personal Searches are just as reliable as those provided direct by the local authority, with overall good quality standards from both sources.
The compliance exercise was carried out by the PCCB late in 2009. The series of pro-active spot checks was specifically designed to scrutinise the content of Personal Search reports from companies that subscribe to the Search Code - the voluntary protocol adopted by most Property Search Providers - and compare them to local authority searches carried out on the same property. The exercise has confirmed without doubt that there is no significant difference between the two types of report.
Responding to today’s results, Kate Nicholls, Chief Executive of the Council of Property Search Organisations (CoPSO) said:
“This test puts to an end once and for all the myth that Local Authority Searches are in some way better than Search Code-backed Personal Searches. The evidence is clear – that overall, there is no difference when it comes to completeness and accuracy of the searches. In fact, evidence suggests that some Personal Searches contain useful additional data.
We welcome the report, but it is worth noting that only Personal Searches that are covered by the Search Code were tested. It is therefore essential to make sure that if you are using a Personal Search provider that they are a member of the Search Code or COPSO.
COPSO members are constantly seeking ways to improve services and standards across the industry. We believe that independent regulation is key to this, and we look forward to sharing these findings with conveyancers, lenders and local authorities so we can continue to improve the quality and accessability of property data for the benefit of homebuyers.”
Mike Ockenden, Chief Executive of AHIPP and FPIP said:
“These results highlight once again the importance to estate agents, conveyancers and home buyers and sellers of only using HIPs provided by HIP Code subscribers. If a HIP carries the HIP Code logo, you can be sure that it contains all the relevant information, is accurate, up to date and above all reliable. Where a personal search is included in a HIP produced by a HIP Code subscriber, it must be provided by a Search Code Subscriber and these results show it is every bit as accurate as a local authority produced search. Buyers conveyancers can rely on the contents of a pack carrying the code logo to move transactions forward at a quicker pace, and remember there is always the Professional Indemnity Insurance of the subscriber to provider reassurance.”
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