CoPSO is currently concentrating on ensuring the acceptability of property information reports by both mortgage lenders and the Government for inclusion in the proposed Home Information Packs (HIPs) CoPSO recognises that for this to happen property search organisations must conform to agreed standards and also that they must have access to information held by local authorities and central government. Accordingly, CoPSO is:
- working with the Government on the implementation of the OFT’s recommendations for reform within the search industry and increased access to local authority data
- representing the search industry on the Government's working groups looking at what information will be included in HIPs
- assisting the Government in drawing up standards for those providing information in the HIP
- developing an industry accreditation scheme via the Search Code, which will include standards of practice, consumer redress, training and competence
- maintaining a dialogue with the Council of Mortgage Lenders to seek to increase the number of lenders that will accept searches prepared by property search organisations
- seeking to address with relevant local authority organisations the issue of access to local authority data
- maintaining a dialogue with the CLG and other government departments on issues of concern to members.
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