The Property Codes Compliance Board (PCCB), the industry body responsible for enforcing standards among code registered HIP and property search providers, has published its annual report outlining its work over the last 12 months to enforce industry codes of practice.
PCCB Chairman Richard Footitt said: “The PCCB’s work to improve consumer standards continues to go from strength to strength regardless of the current downturn. Few would doubt that the property market has had a torrid time of late, but the PCCB’s work proves the industry’s continued commitment to guaranteeing high quality consumer standards. Despite the fact that the vast majority of HIP and search providers are really feeling the squeeze, the number of companies subscribing to the industry codes of practice has risen by 10%. Our industry’s message is clear: a drop in business is no excuse for a drop in standards.”
The PCCB’s annual report shows that the Board has taken a two-pronged approach to its work. On the one hand, it has introduced new measures to help identify any failings that may compromise the consumer experience of HIP and property search products. At the same time, it has matched this by taking swift action to deal with companies breaching the industry standards.
Footitt continued: “We’re taking swift action against those whose standards we find to be slipping, not only through sanctions, but also through recommended actions to sustain best practice. In the worst cases, we have the power to refer any possible breaches of the law to other regulatory bodies and, if needs be, to the police.”
