What Is a Property Information Questionnaire and Why Sellers Need One

What Is a Property Information Questionnaire and Why Is It So Important?

When you decide to sell your property and instruct an estate agent, you will be asked to complete a Property Information Questionnaire, often referred to as a PIQ. At Wishart Estate Agents, this has been part of our process for many years because it plays a key role in making sure your sale is handled correctly from the very beginning.

What is a PIQ?

A Property Information Questionnaire is a legal document that gathers important information about your property before it goes to market. It is required to ensure compliance with the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008, which place a duty on sellers to disclose anything that could affect a buyer’s decision. In practical terms, this means being open about anything that could influence whether a buyer decides to view, make an offer, or proceed with the purchase.

Who should complete it?

The PIQ should be completed by the property owner. If you are acting on behalf of someone who has passed away or is unable to complete the form themselves, it should still be filled in as though the answers are being given by the owner. The information must be accurate. If you do not know the answer to a question, that is acceptable, but you should provide as much detail as possible and avoid leaving anything out.

Why is the PIQ so important?

The information in the PIQ is used throughout the sale process. It helps ensure the property is marketed lawfully and provides essential details to both your conveyancer and the buyer’s conveyancer once a sale is agreed. Being open and thorough at this stage can help prevent issues later on. Problems that come to light late in the process are a common cause of delays, renegotiations, and sales falling through. Completing the PIQ properly from the start helps reduce that risk.

What kind of questions are included?

The questionnaire covers a wide range of topics about the property. These can include questions such as:

Whether any alterations or improvements have been made and if the correct building regulation approvals or certificates are in place
Whether there have been any disputes or complaints involving the property or neighbouring properties
Whether you are aware of any planning applications nearby that could affect the property, its enjoyment, or its views
Details of any electrical work carried out since 1 January 2005 and whether compliance certificates are available
Whether there has ever been any treatment for damp, dry rot, or wet rot
Whether the property is of standard construction
Whether there are any restrictions on use or alterations that have not been complied with

These questions are designed to give buyers a clear and honest picture of the property they are considering.

The two parts of the PIQ

The PIQ is split into two sections.

Part A covers the disclosure of material facts and is required before the property can be marketed. This is what helps get your property market ready.

Part B includes additional information needed for the conveyancing process. While this section is not required to start marketing, completing it early can save time and help avoid delays once a buyer is found. For this reason, we recommend completing both parts at the same time wherever possible.

Instructing your conveyancer early

Instructing your conveyancer at the same time as your estate agent can make a real difference. It allows them to review the information you have provided, identify any missing documents, and address potential title issues early on. This often leads to a faster and smoother sale and reduces the chance of the transaction falling through.

Keeping information up to date

If any of the information you provide changes before the sale completes, it is important to let both your agent and conveyancer know as soon as possible.

We are here to help

The PIQ can feel detailed, but you do not have to complete it on your own. Our team is always happy to help guide you through the questions and explain what is needed.

If you are thinking about selling your property and would like to understand the process in more detail, please call us on 01904 404558 or ask us for a free market appraisal. We will talk you through each step and make sure everything is handled clearly and properly.