The HIP & EPC - Facts & Fiction.
Some questions and answers about the HIP and EPC.What you need to know about the EPC. Go to - What is the EPC page.
Energy Performance Certificates(EPC) and the Law.
The HIP has been suspended; part of the HIP included the EPC.
All properties sold or let must have an EPC,
A new requirement to provide an EPC rated D or higer to claim full FIT rate for Solar PV instalations- April 2012.
Your estate agent or solicitor should inform you about the new rules, post the suspension of the HIP.
The requirement to provide the EPC is still law, even if you have avoided the HIP and even if you are selling to a family member or friend, selling privately does not mean you can avoid the EPC.
Take note of this, home owners from Oct 1st 2008 are responsible for the Energy performance Certificate, you and your estate agent could both end up with a £200 fine.
Update to these laws include the following;
DCLG intends to bring these changes into force on 6 April 2012. Further information and additional interim guidance will be issued shortly.
PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE ENERGY PERFORMANCE OF BUILDINGS (CERTIFICATES AND INSPECTIONS) (ENGLAND AND WALES) REGULATIONS 2007 (THE EPB REGULATIONS)
Such as.
Power to Require the Production of Documents
Trading Standards Officers (TSOs) currently have the power to require the ’relevant person’ (i.e. the seller or landlord) to produce copies of the EPC for inspection and to take copies if necessary. The power to require the production of documents will be extended to include persons acting on behalf of the seller or landlord – e.g. estate agents and letting agents. This means, for example, that TSOs will be authorised to require estate agents to produce evidence showing that an EPC has been commissioned where they are marketing a building without one.
You can download the full document on the EPC resources page.
You can however now market you home without the EPC, but certain rules are in place to make sure that it is available. You or your estate agent must order this document before marketing takes place, there must be a reasonable expectation that the EPC will be available in 28 days.
Don’t be put under pressure by your estate agent to use them to supply the EPC. Simply call a firm such as ours and place an order. We hope we can provide your EPC direct at a lower price.
The EPC is valid for 10 years, it does not need to be renewed on resale of for new tenants in this time period.
Click on this page to find out more about the suspension of the HIP and what you need to know about the EPC and the new rules on how you sell or rent your home.
Inspect your Energy provides direct EPCs and will give you as a home seller or landlord the advice you need.
The EPC is now the only document that you need as a home seller or landlord. Find out more here.
Also look at the resources page for documents to read that may help.
Direct help for you, phone 0161 7679470.
The Q & A below tell you about the laws regarding the HIP before 21 May 2010.
The following is only of interest if you would like to know more about the history of the HIP and EPC.
The Election, what should i do ?
It is the intension of the Conservatives to remove the HIP, if they win the election, at this time as a seller what should you do? You could and maybe should wait and see. In any event the EPC will be still a required part of the home seller’s process when selling your home. My business is now advising home sellers to see the outcome and wait for
further legislation. This will be updated. The Energy Performance Certificate EPC will be needed to those that sell or rent under EU law.
Will the HIP be scrapped ?
The HIP has now been scrapped as of 21 May 2010.
As a home seller, this is and must be a confusing situation. We can only advise you on the current law. It is up to you if you want to wait and see. The HIP is still an effective document that will help to sell your home. This business is being honest to sellers on this matter. As far as we know the EPC will still be part of the home seller’s requirements. You are still required to obtain a HIP to sell your home, its up to you if you want to wait for new legislation on the Home Information Pack. This business is still here to help.
My Home has beenon the market before the HIP?
An EPC is required for the sale of all homes since October 1 2008, including those properties that do not need a HIP. The seller is the relevant person under EPC legislation and is responsible for making the EPC available. Contact an independent DEA to carry out the EPC. In relation to the HIP as long as continuous marketing has occurred you have avoided the requirement to have a HIP.
What type of houses need a HIP?
On 14th December 2007 HIPs rolled out to the whole market, not just larger houses – Aug 1st 2007 for 4 beds or more, 10th Sept 2007 homes with 3 beds or more.
How long does the HIP last?
As long as the property is marketed continually, this does not have to be with the same agent, the HIP remains valid. When the sale of your property is stopped and then remarketed a new pack would normally be required to update documents which are now out of date. However, the seller can use the same pack in the following circumstances.
If it was stopped due to an offer being accepted and this has now to be remarketed due to this offer falling through. Providing that this is done within one year of the date when marketing first began, or if later, within 28 days of the sale falling through.
If marketing is stopped due to other reasons, the seller can remarket with the same pack as long as this is done within one year of the date when marketing first began.
Does the HIP need to be completed before I can accept an offer?
One of the main concepts of the HIP is having the required information prepared; this will enable a smooth buying and selling process. Completing the HIP once an offer has been accepted would return as to the position pre HIPs resulting in unexpected delays that may hold up the sale. This is about to change. See below. You can market you home once certain documents are available.
What are the new rules that are coming in from April 6th 2009?
From this date the Home Information Pack will need to be available from the first day your property is put on the market. Also the HIP will contain a new document - the PIQ a Property Information Questionnaire. The PIQ, which you will need to complete, will provide a summary of key information about your property.
What is the PIQ?
The intention of the PIQ is to provide the buyer with a helpful checklist of information as they view the property. Not to replace normal enquiries made in relation to the conveyancing process but to help to reduce surprises coming to light further down the line. We will guide you on how to fill out the PIQ, using a HIP provider who is local and who will visit your home is your best option.
I am selling my holiday home, do i need a HIP?
NO - if it is restricted under local planning regulations to holiday or seasonal occupancy. Yes - if you have been using it as a normal house or flat which just happens to have been used for holidays, a HIP will be needed if you decide to sell. A static caravan home is also exempt.
Are there other exemptions?
Exemptions to the HIP regulations.
Mixed sales e.g. shop with a flat.
Restricted use or occupancy such as holiday homes.
This has now changed, see EPC news.
Sales of portfolios of properties.
Private sales, with no public marketing at all (see below).
Non-residential properties.
Right to buy.
Properties that are about to be demolished or are unsafe.
I am selling my house privately do I come under the HIP regulations?
If you market your house yourself it is not a private sale.
I am renting out a house, do I need a HIP?
Rented properties do not need a HIP – however from October 2008 they will need an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). This document will last for 10 years and only needs to be shown to new tenants, you dont need a new EPC every time a new tenant moves in. To find a local DEA contact us. Look at my landlords page.
The Energy Performance Certificate.
What is an EPC?
Download this guide. This will explain the EPC,
More FAQs about the EPC, on the EPC register.
The Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), is part of the Government's commitment to reducing carbon emissions. It looks at how efficiently your home is heated and how it retains that heat. It also assesses the carbon emissions of the property. The EPC assessment, which can take up to an hour depending on the size of the property, can only be conducted by a qualified and licensed Energy Assessor or Home Inspector. The assessor mainly collects data which they then enter into a computer programme back in the office, which works out the rating (A-G) for your property. This is shown on a graph like the ones for fridges.
The EPC also makes some recommendations on improvements that can be made (some cheaply) to improve your rating and save you money on fuel bills.
Information about improving the energy efficiency of your home can be found at www.energysavingtrust.org.uk.