It's HIP to be energy efficient
16th June 2006
Alan Whitehead, MP for Southampton Test, says HIPs (Home Information Packs) will put energy efficiency of homes top of the home buying agenda.
HIPs will come into place from 1st June 2007 and every home owner will need to prepare a HIP before putting their home up for sale. The Packs will include searches, a Home Condition Report (compiled by an independent Home Inspector) and terms of sale. An energy efficiency rating similar to fridge ratings will be included in the Home Condition Report, to tell people the running costs and carbon emissions from the home as well as identifying measures which could improve their energy rating.
This means that the energy efficiency of your new home will be there for you to see in black and white and will undoubtedly have an affect on both the price of your home and its attractiveness to potential buyers.
Alan Whitehead said:
"I am pleased that the Labour government continues to make real and positive changes to tackle climate change. After the success of the provisions in my Private Members Bill (PMB) which related to the energy efficiency in buildings, I am pleased to see further measures that support the importance of energy efficiency in homes. As we all know there are significant small changes that can be made in our own homes from a draft excluder to cavity wall insulation to a solar panel - HIPs will give all these measures added importance."
He added:
"At a time when the Lib Dems have broken their opposition pact with the Conservatives on climate change because they've said the Tories have no policies, it is also worth noting that the Tories have said they won't support HIPs - despite the fact that these will give people energy efficiency information to cut carbon emissions. They have therefore put themselves in opposition to green groups like WWF and Friends of the Earth who have welcomed the measure."
Friends of the Earth said that: "Energy efficiency certificates will provide really useful information for house buyers and should provide a long-term incentive to taking action to save energy in the home."
HIPs will also provide a great help to first time buyers as they will cut costs both during the home buying process and by exposing the real costs of running the new home which are currently hidden to most new buyers.