Membership criteria

Executive Members

(a) Search Compilers

  • Private company
  • Core business is sourcing and compiling property search reports used as part of the conveyancing process
  • Trading for over two years
  • Membership of the Executive Committee
  • Use of Executive members’ logo
  • PI  £5m
  • Compliance with the Search Code
  • Receive Executive papers and regular updates

(b) Search Retailers

  • Private company
  • Retailer of property search reports used as part of the conveyancing process
  • Trading for over two years
  • Membership of the Executive Committee
  • Use of Executive members’ logo
  • PI £5m
  • Compliance with the Search Code
  • Receive Executive papers and updates

(c) Experts from fields related to the Property Search Industry

  • Experts from fields related to the property search industry who can assist CoPSO meet its overall objectives and which do not fall within the alternative membership categories.

Affiliate Members

  • Private company
  • Core business is sourcing and compiling property search reports
  • No membership of the Executive Committee
  • Use of Affiliate members’ logo
  • PI £2m
  • Compliance with the Search Code
  • Receive Newsletter and regular updates

Associate Members

  • Private company
  • Core business is not sourcing and compiling property search reports
  • No membership of the Executive Committee
  • Use of Associate members’ logo
  • Receive Newsletter and regular updates

Definition

A property search report is a search undertaken on a property as part of the conveyancing process.  This would include, for example, searches defined under the Housing Act 2004 and subsequent regulations.

Other Criteria

  1. Pay the appropriate subscription within three months of the date of request for payment.
  2. Provide written agreement to be bound by both the terms of the Constitution and the Search Code (where appropriate), agreed by the Executive Committee.
  3. Provide of evidence of professional indemnity insurance to a level specified by the Executive Committee, (where appropriate).
  4. Provide three months notice of resignation.

Note: Admission for membership is at the discretion of the Executive Committee.

Applying for membership