Property Information Questionnaire (PIQ)
The PIQ becomes a required element of the HIP from 6 April 2009.
It must be placed second in the Pack pushing the EPC back to third place and the sustainability certificate (new homes only) down the order.
The government’s view is that this is a form that can be completed by a seller without professional help. This view is reinforced with a warning to agents – "The Property Misdescription Act does not apply where the form has been completed solely by the seller" but agents are reminded that it is their responsibility to ensure that the PIQ is in the Pack.
It is true that some of the questions will be easy for a Seller to answer but others may need some input from an adviser. It is likely that the ‘Don’t Know’ answer will be frequently used.
The information required in the questionnaire is slightly different where the property is a new home (schedule 12) rather than a ‘second-hand’ property (Schedule 11) and extra questions are included for leaseholds.
The PIQ is also subject to the regulations relating to marketing with an incomplete pack provided the steps set out in regulations 17-19 are followed.
A copy of the form of PIQ can be downloaded from the DCLG website at http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/housing/doc/improvingconsumerinfomation.doc where it appears in Annex 2 to the consultation document. As with other forms, it is expected that the Law Society TransAction forms will be an acceptable way to provide the information.
An annotated PIQ will be posted as soon as possible to help Seller’s understand what is expected of them and from where they can obtain the necessary answers.
