Consumer Protection Information

Important Consumer Protection Information

This search has been produced by Searches UK, Basepoint Business Centre, Little High Street, Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex, BN43 5EG, which is registered with the Property Codes Compliance Board
(PCCB) as a subscriber to the Search Code. The PCCB independently monitors how
registered search firms maintain compliance with the Code.

The Search Code:

 provides protection for homebuyers, sellers, estate agents, conveyancers and
mortgage lenders who rely on the information included in property search
reports undertaken by subscribers on residential and commercial property
within the United Kingdom
 sets out minimum standards which firms compiling and selling search reports
have to meet
 promotes the best practice and quality standards within the industry for the
benefit of consumers and property professionals
 enables consumers and property professionals to have confidence in firms
which subscribe to the code, their products and services.
By giving you this information, the search firm is confirming that they keep to the
principles of the Code. This provides important protection for you.

The Code’s core principles

Firms which subscribe to the Search Code will:
 Display the Search Code logo prominently on their search reports.
 Act with integrity and carry out work with due skill, care and diligence.
 At all times maintain adequate and appropriate insurance to protect
consumers.
 Conduct business in an honest, fair and professional manner.
 Handle complaints speedily and fairly.
 Ensure that products and services comply with industry registration rules and
standards and relevant laws.
 Monitor their compliance with the Code.

Complaints

If you have a query or complaint about your search, you should raise it directly with
the search firm, and if appropriate ask for any complaint to be considered under
their formal internal complaints procedure. If you remain dissatisfied with the firm’s
final response, after your complaint has been formally considered, or if the firm has
exceeded the response timescales, you may refer your complaint for consideration
under The Property Ombudsman scheme (TPOs). The Ombudsman can award up to
£5,000 to you if the Ombudsman finds that you have suffered actual financial loss
and/or aggravation, distress or inconvenience 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 TPOs or to the
PCCB.

TPOs Contact Details:
The Property Ombudsman scheme
Milford House
43-55 Milford Street
Salisbury
Wiltshire
SP1 2BP
Tel: 01722 333306
Fax: 01722 332296

Website: www.tpos.co.uk
Email: admin@tpos.co.uk

You can get more information about the PCCB from pccb.org.uk