energyreporter.co.uk

From 1st October 2008 landlords have been required to get an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) on their properties before they can advertise their property 'For Let'. Part of the Home Information Pack (HIP) was the EPC however HIPs were cancelled 20th May 2010. If you were selling your home before this date you should have a HIP, part of which is an EPC (so a new report is not necessary). 

Energy Performance Certificates are valid for ten years on both sale and rental. To find out more about EPCs and how to prepare for your energy inspection please follow this link. More info

From 1st October 2008 Commercial Energy Performance Certificates (CEPCs) have been required on all commercial properties upon sale, construction or rent. They and should be made available to any new tenant or purchaser as soon as marketing commences.

Commercial energy certificates are more complex than the domestic type and will often require us to visit the property to provide a quote. More

The requirement to have a Home Information Pack before marketing could begin was suspended on the 20th May 2010. The original idea was to provide buyers with more information, thereby reducing the risk of a sale collapsing. This simple concept was riddled with issues and opposition, if you would like to read a concise assessment of the problems please see energyreporter.co.uk petition to the Government 20th January 2010. More Info

Irrespective of the legal requirement to have a Home Information Pack they can still save buyers and sellers needless time and money. The majority of the properties on the market will have HIPs. If you don't read them you run the risk of a nasty surprise later on down the conveyancing process.

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