Due to the recent change in UK property law, a HIP is no longer required when selling a property. You still however require an EPC.
What is an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)?
Energy Performance Certificates – what they tell you
EPCs contain:
- information on your home's energy use and carbon dioxide emissions
- a recommendation report with suggestions to reduce energy use and carbon dioxide emissions
Energy use and carbon dioxide emissions
EPCs carry ratings that compare the current energy efficiency and carbon dioxide emissions with potential figures that your home could achieve. Potential figures are calculated by estimating what the energy efficiency and carbon dioxide emissions would be if energy saving measures were put in place.
The rating measures the energy and carbon emission efficiency of your home using a grade from ‘A’ to ‘G’. An ‘A’ rating is the most efficient, while ‘G’ is the least efficient. The average efficiency grade to date is 'D'. All homes are measured using the same calculations, so you can compare the energy efficiency of different properties.
Around 27 per cent of the UK’s carbon dioxide emissions come from domestic homes. Carbon dioxide contributes to climate change.
The recommendation report
EPCs also provide a detailed recommendation report showing what you could do to help reduce the amount of energy you use and your carbon dioxide emissions. The report lists:
- suggested improvements, like fitting loft insulation
- possible cost savings per year, if the improvements are made
- how the recommendations would change the energy and carbon emission rating of the property
You don’t have to act on the recommendations in the recommendation report. However, if you decide to do so, it could make your property more attractive for sale or rent by making it more energy efficient.
View a sample EPC here;
http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/planningandbuilding/pdf/319282.pdf
Pure Comment: Although at times controversial the HIP can provide crucial information and although often ignored by potential purchasers during negotiations, the buying process can be faster when an up to date HIP is provided. The question of HIP's has become something of a political football and it remains to be seen whether in their current form they will be around for very much longer. The Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is a different matter. Quicker and cheaper to prepare than a HIP, this document gives some very useful guidance about how to make a property more energy efficient along with costing information and potential savings to be made. This cannot be a bad thing for both the environment and the occupant's pocket!
Part information courtesy of direct gov uk.
