Blog

Well I'm the first to comment on the lack of industry consultation, so its good to see that CLG are putting the feelers out to those will implement, drive and ultimately, you would hope, benefit from the ongoing implementation of Government and EU legislation.

Its been a while since we've had so many on-going consultations. Lets have a run through and see what fun lies ahead then, plus links to other recent documentation published to guide the EPC and HIP industry to smooth the troubled waters of the EPBD Implementation.

Improving Consumer Information in the Home Information Pack

This consultation seeks views on improving consumer information in Home Information Packs, the inclusion of a mandatory Property Information Questionnaire (PIQ) and finalising leasehold requirements in HIPs. Published 29 July 2008. Closing date: 30 Sept 2008

and following up on a consultation paper earlier in the year about personal searches, their costs and so on...

Local Authorities (Charges for Property Searches) (England) (Wales) Regulations: A consultation paper

This consultation paper sets out draft Regulations to implement the Government's proposals on future arrangements for Local Authority charges for property search services. Published: 31 July 2008. Closing date: 30 Sept 2008


A guide to generating Energy Performance Certificates for similar dwellings owned by the same landlord

Now this has been causing a minor kerfuffle amongst those interested in social housing and the argument for and against Data Collectors but it does at least go some way to explaining how to deal with a portfolio of properties and to assist in understanding the approaches that may be adopted when producing EPCs. This document explains things to DEA/HIs, accreditation and training schemes. Yes I think I can group those last two together can't I :)

Here is its associated document produced a few weeks ago that gives the story to landlords Energy performance certificates for dwellings in the social and private rented sectors: A guide for landlords



Green Homes Service

The much-heralded Green Homes Service has been ticking along slowly, we have further initiatives from the EST being piloted, locally to me coincidentally, but if you want to see some of the thinking about why its needed and how it can provide a demonstrable benefit then read the following document. You have to give CLG credit on this, the very need to produce an Impact Assessment before going ahead with initiatives at least gives some opportunity for the risk to be highlighted before cash is wasted and momentum lost. Impact Assessments can be quite boring to read, but I thoroughly enjoy looking at the thinking that has gone on to support and develop the arguments that the solutions are put in place to solve and/or resolve.

So here is the consultation document and the Impact Assessment:
The Next Steps: EPCs and the establishment of the Green Homes Service
Impact Assessment - The Next Steps: EPCs and the establishment of the Green Homes Service

These documents considering a range of proposals:

1: Extending access to the domestic EPC register to the Energy Saving Trust
2: Extending access to the non-domestic EPC register to the Carbon Trust
3: Extending access to both the domestic and non-domestic EPC registers to energy assessors to allow them to search by address
4: Extending access to the non-domestic database to the general public so that they can see whether a building has an EPC, although not download the EPC

and still the flow of information from CLG recently does not stop- anyone would think if this wasn't all rolled out smoothly the Government would be facing a whopping great fine on January 1st 2009! Ah, yes thats right, thats exactly what the Government would be facing, and thats never a smart move appearing to be slow on politically sensitive green issues.



Commercial EPCs, additional guidance published.

A guide to energy performance certificates for the construction, sale and let of non-dwellings (2nd edition July 2008)

This guide provides an introduction to energy performance certificates for non-dwellings. It describes the scope and requirements of the Regulations that apply on construction, sale or let and provides guidance on how these are applied in practice.



First penalty charge notice issued

The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) recently confirmed that they have been notified of the first penalty charge notice in relation to HIPs being issued. Oxfordshire Trading Standards informed the OFT that the notice was issued to a local estate agent because they had not joined an approved HIPs redress scheme.

Estate agents in England and Wales marketing homes for sale with HIPs must belong to an approved redress scheme for HIP-related complaints, giving consumers guaranteed access to redress for HIP-related complaints against estate agents.

Labels: Yet-more-government-consultations Finally-an-estate-agent-is-fined-for-HIPs