The Association of Home Information Pack Providers has launched a code of practice for Hips, ahead of the mandatory introduction of packs on 1st June this year, which it says will ensure maximum protection for the consumer.

Home information pack providers subscribing to the voluntary Code will be subject to stringent standards to ensure consumers purchasing a pack through an approved provider can place total confidence in the finished product.

All those involved in the provision of the packs are invited to sign up to the code of practice (which is not solely restricted to AHIPP members) and consumers will be encouraged by the association to only use a Hip provider who displays the Hip code logo in their window and on their stationery.

Mike Ockenden, director general of AHIPP said: “The consumer will be able to place total confidence in any Hip purchased through providers adhering to the code. The government will be regulating home inspectors to ensure that they carry out their role to the highest standard and all consumers purchasing a home information pack with the Hip code logo can be confident that their provider is also being stringently regulated.”

“The packs will carry professional indemnity insurance and any problems that may arise will be picked up immediately and resolved quickly, with minimum disruption and cost to the consumer.”

The code will set out minimum standards which Hip providers must meet and the public can check whether a provider subscribes to the code by contacting the Property Codes Compliance Board (www.propertycodes.org.uk).

The code will be monitored by the board which is an independent body funded by registered firms and which will have representatives from lenders, conveyancers, Hip providers, search organisations and has consumers’ interests at heart.

Ockenden concluded: “It is vital that the providers of Hips and all those professional people involved in compiling them are seen as trustworthy people with impeccable integrity.  This code is a positive step to ensure that the whole provision of Hips is seen to be regulated and above board.”