ABSTRACT
This chapter presents the sources of information on property and identifies roles and activities in property information. It explains the principles of freedom of information and describes the nature and sources of official information. The chapter outlines the kinds of standards which impact on property. Information in the property industry is generated, gathered and promulgated by a host of organisations and individuals in different guises. The legal framework of the UK incorporates European Union directives as UK government statutes. Under the Audit Commission Act 1998, the continuing Audit Commission is empowered to investigate the affairs of public bodies by auditing their financial reports and accounts. Much of the information obtained from local government, statutory bodies and other public bodies has statutory backing and stands as official policy, standards, controls and the like. The Local Land Charges Register and Public Information Records contain information about the properties in an area.
