Jun 12 2007
The Government today laid the revised regulations necessary to deliver Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) and Home Information (HIPs) into the housing market on 1 August.
As announced last month, EPCs and HIPs will be phased in starting with four bedroom homes and larger properties - rolling out to other sized properties once sufficient energy inspectors are in place nationally and regionally to meet demand, taking into account market conditions and evidence from implementation.
We expect to need 2,000 accredited assessors and inspectors to introduce EPCs and HIPs to three bedroom homes, with a total of 3,000 needed to cover the whole market. We believe these are prudent figures that will ensure the smoothest possible implementation.
Latest figures supplied by accreditation agencies show there are currently over 1,000 accredited energy assessors and homes inspectors. This is above the threshold needed to introduce HIPs on August 1 for four bedroom homes and larger. More than 4,700 assessors and inspectors have passed their training exams.
EPCs and HIPs will help to tackle climate change by giving consumers the information they need to cut carbon emissions from homes and bring greater transparency to a home buying and selling process which is currently failing consumers.
The Government today also welcomed a commitment from major HIP providers to guarantee an EPC and HIP to consumers within seven working days of a pack being commissioned - consumers will receive a £100 refund on the pack if it is not produced in time.
Building on the area trials in the lead up to implementation, the Government, working with HIP providers, will provide up to 5,000 subsidised EPCs for every HIP commissioned until August 1.
EPCs will also lay the foundation for many homeowners to be able to apply for grants of £100 to £300 to help with energy efficiency improvements such as loft insulation.
Ruth Kelly said:
"HIPs and EPCs will provide an opportunity to make real progress on transforming the home buying and selling process in the interests of consumers and the environment. The approach outlined today will phase in the introduction of HIPs and EPCs while making early carbon savings from homes."
Yvette Cooper said:
"Energy Performance Certificates are projected to save nearly a million tonnes of carbon per year by 2020, and help families to cut hundreds of pounds from their fuel bills."
“Homebuyers will for the first time get energy ratings on homes - similar to consumer friendly fridge ratings - as well as cost-effective measures that will help reduce the 27 per cent of emissions that come from homes.”
Energy Performance Certificates are supported by environmental groups such as Friends of the Earth, the World Wildlife Fund, and the Energy Savings Trust.
Home Information Packs will begin the process of market transformation, introducing greater transparency and competition into home buying and selling. HIPs include energy certificates and the legal and search documents already required in home buying and selling. First time buyers will get for free information they currently have to pay for. Providers will have to compete on price and services at the beginning of the process, making it clear to consumers what services they are provider and how much they will cost.
HIPs will also reduce the risk of problems emerging later on that causes chains to collapse, wasting money, time and energy by providing other information such as local searches upfront to consumers.