In the months since Home Information Packs (HIPs) were introduced, we at the Association of Plumbing and Heating Contractors have seen and are still seeing alarmingly poor quality in all aspects of building work which requires notification. It seems there are still a significant number of installers and operatives who are not aware of the works that must be notified to the appropriate local authority, either directly or through a Competent Persons Scheme.

Any works to a dwelling that are not correctly notified can ultimately fail earlier, causing significant damage to the property and potentially putting the homeowner’s or buyer’s health at risk. The consequences of these failings do not end there; they also come with a financial implication for the new owner, who must pay out to correct or replace such inadequately installed systems.

Legal professionals, while they are aware of electrical systems (Part P) or glazing (Part N) as required notification areas, must also be aware of the requirement to notify any plumbing works for inclusion when producing home information packs; ‘plumbing works’ being defined as kitchen or bathroom installations/renovations, including heating systems or the installation of any renewable heating system. Legal professionals must ensure, when compiling HIPs or conducting any property searches as part of the exchange process, that any such works have been notified accordingly to the appropriate local authority.

We hope that legal professionals will adopt this procedure in any future conveyancing transactions.

If you require further information about the notification process of building regulations and compliance, please do not hesitate to visit the Communities and Local Government website.

Stacey White, Project manager, Association of Plumbing and Heating Contractors