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GREEN DEAL LATEST - Special Bulletin February 2012

Department of Energy and Climate Change — February 1st 2012

DCLG yesterday launched their consultation on changes to the Building Regulations regime in relation to the Green Deal. This includes a package of potential changes to support the Green Deal.

In summary, this includes new requirements for additional 'consequential' energy efficiency improvements where work (such as an extension or replacement windows or boilers) is already planned to an existing building and Green Deal funding is available as an option to meet the up-front costs.

Given DCLG estimate there are 200,000 extensions per year, 1.4 million boiler replacements and 1 million window replacements, this could be a significant demand driver for the Green Deal.

The proposals include;

• From October 2012 (to include with the introduction of the Green Deal framework) DCLG are proposing that extensions and increases in habitable space (i.e. loft or integral garage conversions) in existing homes would trigger a requirement to carry out consequential energy efficiency improvements where these were technically, economically and functionally feasible.

The Green Deal will be the biggest home energy programme of modern times

Guardian — January 2012

2012 is set to be a monumental year for Britain. Of course we are looking forward to the diamond jubilee and the Olympics, but it is also the year in which we will launch the pioneering Green Deal, unleashing real competitive forces in the energy efficiency market.

Attracting more investment than ever before, the Green Deal will be the biggest home energy improvement programs of modern times, to tackle our draughty and expensive-to-heat housing stock.

In a world of increasing prices, market volatility and reliance on imports, we simply cannot afford to be wasteful with energy. Our homes are among the most inefficient in Europe and up to 4.1m households live in fuel poverty in England alone.

The time has come for a radical new approach to hone energy improvement , moving away from pepper potting individual measures to whole house or property solutions.

We will look carefully at the different views coming forward on loft and cavity wall insulation, but with a wider span of measures we are confident the green deal will generate new demand for all types of insulation and actually increase jobs in an expanded insulation market to 65,000 by 2015.

 

South West makes splash as first marine energy park

DECC — January 2012

The South West has today been named as the UK's first Marine Energy Park, firmly placing the region on the international map for leadership in marine renewable energy.

Climate Change Minister Greg Barker made the announcement on a visit to Bristol where he met with key members of the new initiative

The South West Marine Energy Park will stretch from Bristol through to Cornwall and as far as the Isles of Scilly. It will create a collaborative partnership in the region between national and local government, Local Enterprise Partnerships, the famous Universities of Plymouth and Exeter and industry including Cornwalls famous wave hub. The aim of the partnership will be to speed up the progress of marine power development.

Energy from the waves or tides has the potential to generate up to 27GW of power in the UK alone by 2050, equivalent to the power generated from 8 coal-fired power stations, as well as helping to reduce emissions to fight climate change.

Renewables Bring £2.5bn Boost to Economy

Department of Energy and Climate Change — January 2012

Chris Huhne today revealed more evidence of the economic benefits of renewable energy as he reaffirmed the coalitions commitment to meeting EU renewable energy targets. This came as the UK published an update on progress to source 15% of all energy from renewable sources by 2020.

Latest research from DECC shows that so far this financial year, companies have announced plans for almost £2.5billion worth of investment in renewable energy projects in the UK, with the potential to create almost 12,000 jobs across the country.

A separate report to the European Commission on renewable energy progress that showed that the UK:

• Achieved a 27% increase in renewable energy consumption from 42.6TWh in 2008 to 54TWh in 2010 - representing 3.3% of total energy consumed.
• Increased wind generation by 46% from 7TWh in 2008 to 10.2TWh in 2010, and in 2010 achieved 5GW of offshore and onshore wind capacity; and
• Saw a threefold increase in the use of biofuels in transport from 1% of total road transport fuel supply in 2007/8 to 3.33% in 2010.

Chris Huhne, Energy Secretary, said:

“Renewable energy is not just helping us increase our energy security and reduce our emissions. It is supporting jobs and growth across the country, and giving traditional industrial heartlands the opportunity to thrive again.

“Our renewable target is less demanding than other EU member states, but the effect is bringing real jobs and investment.

“I do not want the UK to be left behind by turning our back on the green economy. The agreement to negotiate a global deal secured at Durban has reinforced major nations’ commitment to cutting carbon. We cannot afford to stand alone while the world wises up.”

Minister Looks Forward to “Prosperous 2012”

Department of Energy and Climate Change — January 2012

Energy Minister Charles Hendry set out his hopes for a “prosperous 2012” in the oil and gas sector, as he awarded 46 new licences to explore for hydrocarbons in the North Sea.

These awards were made as part of the 26th offshore oil and gas licensing round, which was originally announced in October 2010. This licensing round awarded 144 licences but held back a number of blocks from award due to the need for further assessment on Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs).

Charles Hendry, Minister for Energy, said:

“Oil and gas remains crucial to the UK economy — contributing around 2% to the country’s GDP. Our innovative licensing system continues to make the UK one of the most attractive places to do business.

“These further licences have been subject to rigorous examination, and we are now satisfied that initial exploration can go ahead.

“These continued high levels of interest, and the award today of these licences, gives me yet more reason to be optimistic for a prosperous 2012 for the UK oil and gas sector.”

Treasury to approve £200m Green Deal Funding

GDG - Janary 2012

The chief secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander announced the approval of £200m to be used as an incentive for the public to pick up the Green Deal scheme when it is available for homeowners in October 2012.

Both the business community and NGOs welcomed this announcement as another step towards the successful roll out of the Green Deal scheme.

While the primary goal of the Green Deal scheme is to increase energy efficiency of UK homes and business buildings to reduce the carbon emissions associated with climate change and to reduce energy costs, there are other benefits of the Green deal scheme.

The government estimates that in the long term the scheme, if successful, will create thousands of new jobs and lead to £14b in new investment from the private sector. Additionally, energy companies are mandated to assist with energy improvements for low income households.

The goal of the Green Deal scheme is to have 14m UK households upgraded for energy efficiency, making the UK the European leader in reducing greenhouse emissions.

Experts state that the success of the Green Deal program is dependent on the experience of those homeowners who take up the scheme early, thus there must be great attention to the details of the program so that all goes smoothly.

While the details of how the £200m will be disbursed to early adopters of the scheme, experts agree that using this money for a reduction in the council tax or the stamp duty tax will be a powerful tool to motivate homeowners to take up the Green Deal within the first year. The government is considering this proposal as well as others for the distribution of the funds.

The Green Deal Countdown!

January 2012

“The biggest home improvement plan since the second world war” — Chris Huhne, Climate Change Secretary

With the Christmas and New Year rush behind us for another 12 months we are already counting down to the next big event... The Green Deal.

Set to be the largest home improvement programme since the second world war, the Green Deal promises to drive billions of pounds of investment into energy efficiency over the next decade with the potential to create 250,000 jobs involving around £100bn of investment by 2020.

As bills rise and green subsidies are cut, politicians are looking for ways to reduce our bills - and emissions - at no or little cost.

By providing energy advice to an estimated 14 million homes and businesses within the UK and offering grants to all, the new innovative financial mechanism eliminates the need to pay upfront for these energy efficiency measures and instead provides reassurances that the cost of the measures will be covered and paid back through the savings on the electricity bill. The government have called this revolutionary proposal “The Green Deal”

The government have committed to invest £200 million this year alone to stimulate the “Green Deal” on its launch in the Autumn, with a further £14 billion of private investment being predicted.

The goal of the Green Deal scheme is to have 14m UK households upgraded for energy efficiency, making the UK the European leader in reducing greenhouse emissions and supporting up to 250,000 new jobs within the green industry

 

Rental Sector Welcomes Green Deal

EAToday - December 2011

New incentives such as £150 to consumers who take up the Green Deal scheme are to be announced, with more sweeteners to be unveiled in a matter of weeks.

Energy secretary Chris Huhne says the impact of the Green Deal will be to drive down household fuel bills by 7percent, or £94, by 2020. He said, Britains homes will be cheaper to heat and to light than if we did nothing in this parliament and in the longer term.

The providers will be able to apply for an Energy Company Obligation subsidy where applicable to allow them to supply products that would not otherwise meet the golden rule on repayments. Instances where this will occur would typically be on older terrace properties with single brick skin construction that makes it impossible for cavity wall insulation in other words, many classic rental properties.

Energy Company Obligation funding will be open to private landlords whose tenants will be responsible for repaying the Green Deal costs through their utility bills but will exclude social housing.

David Salusbury, chairman of the National Landlords Association, said, The Green Deal represents a good opportunity for landlords and home owners to increase the energy efficiency of their properties. By enabling landlords to make necessary improvements at no direct cost, it overcomes the obstacles which have constrained previous initiatives, at the same time offering a real benefit to households.

A recent survey by the NLA found that over two-thirds of landlords would consider taking advantage of the Green Deal. It is our aim to support landlords through this process.

The Government has worked to engage with all stakeholders in order to come up with a proposal which we believe has the potential to work for the private rented sector. We look forward to continuing to work with government to bring about energy-saving improvements.

Peter Bolton King, chief executive of the NAEA and ARLA, said, The NAEA and ARLA have been working closely with the Department for Energy and Climate Change on the detail of the Green Deal policy.

For the Green Deal to work it needs to be easy to implement and clear, so that tenants and prospective home buyers have the information they need when buying or renting a new home.

We look forward to examining the full detail of the consultation, and will be responding to the Government in due course.

Homes and Economy to Benefit From Energy and Climate Policies Chris Huhne

DECC - November 2011

£14 billion worth of private sector investment in home energy improvements over the next decade will help insulate households from rising global energy prices and create thousands of jobs in the British insulation and construction sector, Chris Huhne said today.

A consultation on the Green Deal, which will provide home energy saving upgrades to householders at no upfront cost, was published as part of the Energy and Climate Change Secretarys Annual Energy Statement to Parliament. He also published a new government analysis showing that homes will on average be cheaper to heat and light in future than if the Government was not pursuing policies to keep the lights on and emissions down.

Chris Huhne,Energy and Climate Change Secretary, said:

The Green Deal is about putting energy consumers back in control of their bills and banishing Britains draughty homes to the history books. By stimulating billions of pounds of private sector investment, the Green Deal will revolutionise the way that we keep our homes warm, making them cosier, more efficient and all at no upfront cost.

The Green Deal is also a massive business opportunity for firms up and down Britain, helping to power the economy and creating jobs. From one-man bands and local authorities, to the big supermarkets and DIY stores, we want as many providers getting involved as possible because thats what will give consumers the best deal.

I want to insulate Britains homes not just from the cold weather, but also from the chill winds of global fossil fuel prices. Its these that are pushing up consumer energy prices, and its why our balanced package of policies aimed at achieving energy savings and shifting to more home grown alternatives is the right one for the economy and all of us who pay energy bills.

There are certainly costs to replacing our ageing energy infrastructure with modern, clean power stations, and we take very seriously any impact of our policies on what consumers and businesses pay. Weve repeatedly taken steps to reduce this by removing some planned levies on bills and making others more cost effective and within budget.

But a crucial and too often ignored priority of our whole strategy is to reduce the amount of energy we use in our homes

The Facts and Framework

The Green Deal framework will be launched from October 2012. This months consultation outlines the followingthree big benefits of the ground-breaking scheme and asks for comments from industry and the public:

• Every British home and business will be able to install packages of energy-saving technologies such as insulation at no upfront cost, making their property warmer and cosier straight away,with repayments made over time out of the energy savings. Strict standards will be put in place to prevent consumers being ripped off by cowboys.
• A new requirement on energy companies to provide £1.3 billion a year to ensure everyone is able to benefit from the Green Deal no matter their income or the type of house they live in. Additional help will be available to ensure the fuel poor get better boilers and fix draughty homes, while subsidy will also be provided to help tackle homes that are hard to insulate“includingsolid wall homes.
• The Green Deal is expected to kick start around £14 billion of private sector investment over the next decade

Up to £150 in cash back could be available for homes taking out a Green Deal to be funded through private sector Green Deal finance as part of efforts to make the Green Deal as attractive as possible.

Separately, the Chancellor announced in Budget 2011 that the Government is committed to the success of the Green Deal and will act to encourage and incentivise take-up so the Green Deal will appeal to households, businesses and prospective providers alike, before it is introduced in 2012.

The Green Deal Impacts on Energy and Climate

The annual estimate of the impacts of energy and climate change policies on energy prices and bills, published this month, shows:

• By the end of 2011 household electricity prices will have increased by around 16% and household gas prices by 25% since the start of the year. This has been due mostly to global fossil fuel prices. Over the past year alone the global gas price increased by nearly 40%. Many experts expect global fossil fuel prices to continue to rise over the medium- and long term, meaning energy bills are likely to increase with or without policies.
• Government policies currently account for around 7% of an average household energy bill and have contributed very little to these recent price increases. In fact, accounting for the efficiency savings policiesalready delivered, the average household energy bill in 2011 is only 2% higher than it would have been if these policies were never introduced.
• In 2020 the average household bill will be 7%, or £94, lower than if the Government was not pursuing policies to achieve energy savings and incentivise the shift from fossil fuels to alternatives.A net saving will start to kick in from around 2013 and, over the remaining lifetime of this Parliament, average household bills will be lower than they otherwise would be,as a result of energy and climate policies. This assumes a central gas price estimate of nearly 70p/therm in 2020. If the gas price was to be higher, householders would be even better off.
• Government policies will enable more of the most vulnerable to heat their homes more affordably, as they will receive extra help through the new Warm Home Discount, existing energy efficiency schemes andthe Energy Company Obligation announced today.

 

UK Government earmarks £35m for energy efficiency measures

energy efficiency news - 22nd sept 2011

Innovative measure that cut the costs of energy saving and reducing carbon emissions for homes and businesses are to get a £35m boost, UK energy secretary Chris Huhne announced yesterday.

In the spending review last year, the government earmarked more than £200m for low carbon technologies over the next four years.

A £35m share of that pot is now going to be devoted to reducing carbon emissions from buildings

Details of where and how the funding will be allocated to reduce costs of energy saving in domestic and non-domestic buildings will be announced later in the year.

Meanwhile, a new energy efficiency deployment office will be established within the Department on Energy and Climate Change (DECC) to create an energy efficiency strategy and strong programme management.

The office will have its own chair and director like similar offices for renewable energy, carbon capture and storage and nuclear power.

Landlords eying up UK Governments Green Deal

energy efficiency news - 22nd September 2011

Two thirds of the UK's private landlords are eying up the opportunities presented by the Governments forthcoming Green Deal, according to a survey.

The coalition Governments Green Deal which is in the report stage in parliament as part of the energy bill, will allow the costs of improving the energy efficiency of properties to be paid for out of the savings to energy bills.

The National Landlords Association (NLA) reports that 24% of the landlords it surveyed are planning to take advantage of the Green Deal, with a further 38% saying the would consider taking advantage of loans to make energy efficiency improvements to their properties.

The Green Deal is likely to be open to property owners from October 2012 and will allow tenants to reduce energy consumption and bills, while adding value to properties by being more eco friendly.

"The green deal presents an excellent opportunity for landlords to improve the energy efficiency of their properties" says NLA chair David Salusbury

Clegg backs green energy and Green Deal

utility week - 21st September 2011

Liberal Democrat leader and deputy prime minister Nick Clegg voiced strong support for green energy and electricity market reform in his conference speech today.

He told delegates at the partys annual conference in Birmingham: "we have stood by our commitments to act on the environment."

Clegg added that while the "politically convenient thing would have been to put off to another day" the party was taking immediate action and reeled off a list of examples.

These included "ambitious carbon targets. Energy market reform. Councils generating renewable energy. A Green Deal to make bills lower and homes warmer. Carbon capture and storage. Green buses, trains and trams. The worlds first ever green investment bank".

Clegg claimed these were "green achievements from a green part of the government".

West Mids takes leading role in Green Deal projects

h&vnews.co.uk - 19th Sept 2011

The West Midlands looks set to lead a Green Deal revolution after Birmingham Energy Savers issued a tender notice for works, which they say could eventually be worth up to £1.5billion.

Birmingham City Council is to provide up to £75m for an initial pilot, the Pathfinder Programme, with a further £25m expected via investment through the energy company obligation under which energy suppliers are asked to support hard to treat and vulnerable households.

Chief among the delivery partners obligations will be to engage customers, assess properties and secure finance and manage loans. The partner will be expected to keep a database of installation data.

The Pathfinder Programme is set to last around three years with the last property refurbished in autumn 2015 and BCC's investment repaid under the Green Deal, feed in tariffs, the Renewable Heat Incentive and other incentives over a 25 year period.

Government 'should provide energy performance clarification'

Taylor Vinters - 16th Sept 2011

The government has been urged to provide clarity regarding expected energy performance for rented property across the UK.

Richard Jones, policy director at the Residential Landlords Association, said more information is required to ensure landlords are upgrading their properties that are currently the least compliant with energy targets, with the rating system for Energy Performance Certificate needing clarification for many.

He commented "The government wants to see voluntary compliance, but the one thing that puts landlords off voluntary compliance and getting on with it is the uncertainty about the standards that they will need to meet."

According to research by the national landlords association, 24 per cent of the UK landlords say they will definitely make use of incentives set out in the governments green deal to boost the efficiency of their properties.

Further more, 38 per cent claimed they would consider in, with just 17 per cent saying the scheme has no appeal.

Building sector keen to go green

businessgreen.co.uk - Sept 2011

A major new survey has revealed the vast majority of construction firms understand the need for sustainability but have failed to take basic steps to improve their environmental performance, prompting fresh calls for the government to cut taxes for energy efficient buildings.

Ninety one per cent of construction businesses believe that sustainability will be core to their businesses over the next five to ten years, according to a new survey of more than 100 leading building products firms published today by Pricewaterhouse Coopers and the Contruction Products Association.

CPA and PwC said they hoped the survey would open a debate on the challenges facing the sector as it attempts to improve its environmental performance and how effective policies can help encourage efficient construction.

Minister unveils Green Deal advice plan for tenants and homeowners

24dasg.com - 31st January 2011
Junior housing minister Andrew Stunnell has outlined plans for the Green Deal Reports that will enable homeowners and tenants to receive tailored advice about how to make their homes greener and save money, delivered direct to their door.

Compnaies offering services to upgrade homes through the Government's Green Deal Reports will be able to access information about the energy efficiency of properties that have an Energy Performance Certificate, and deliver tailored advice to individual homes. Proposals published last week set out how the system for accessing this information will work.

The Green Deal Reports is the Government's new and radical way of making energy efficiency available to all, whether people own or rent their property. Green Deal Advice will carry out work to upgrade properties so they become warmer and cheaper to run. Homeowners and tenants will have the opportunity to save money with all the costs to upgrade the property paid back to the Green Deal Advice from the savings on energy bills.

Green Bank 'could be in Edinburgh'

HeraldScotland - 13th January 2011
The UK's new Green Investment bank could be based in Edinburgh, Energy Secretary Chris Huhne has told MSPs.
He said the city had a "very special advantage" because its financial institutions had a strong track record in lending to renewable energy companies.

But Mr Huhne warned Holyrood's Economy, Energy and Tourism committee that Edinburgh faced still competition from other financial centres.

The bank, announced by the UK Government last year, is being set up with £1 billion of public money to channel private sector funding, which it will raise in similar way to regular banks, into low carbon businesses.

Mr Huhne said: "One of the reasons that Edinburgh has a particular claim as the potential site for the GIB is precisely because of the substantial expertise that exists in Edinburgh on the energy financing side."

Plans for Green Deal Unveiled

Energy Efficiency News - 20th August 2010
Speaking yesterday at the launch of a support project for renewable energy businesses, Deputy PM Nick Clegg outlined plans for a new Green Deal Reports aimed at reducing energy demand and carbon emissions while making homes warmer, saving consumers money and stimulating jobs.

The Green Deal Reports will enable householders and businesses to install energy efficiency measures, such as insulation, which will be funded through a system of low-interest loans. It is hoped that Green Deal Reports, customers will then be able to repay the cost of installation work, back to the Green Deal Advice, through savings on their energy bills.

A summary of the Green Deal Reports, published by the department of energy and climate change, predicts that the scheme will provide insulation to over 3.5 million households, with a projected £8.65 billion benefit for society. It is approximated estimated that the most energy-inefficient homes which are currently most energy-inefficient could save around £550 annually through these improvements. Legislation for the scheme is timetable for later this year, with the Green Deal Reports expected to take effect during 2012.

Renewable industry celebrates UK Green Deal

Renewable Energy Focus - 20th August 2010
UK Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has declared a 'quiet green revolution' for households and businesses, maximising employment and business benefits in the renewable energy sector thanks to the Green Deal Reports.

At the launch of a project to provide support for growing businesses in renewable energy and related low carbon markets, the Deputy Prime Minister congratulated their efforts towards establishing a new green economy and insisted that the current Government would support, “moving away from carbon-blind economic activity to business with a new carbon conscience.”

Home Information Packs reduce exchange times by 7 days

Connells - 23rd September 2009

Statistics released this morning claim that HIPs have speeded up the time between offer and exchange by an average of one calendar week.

It is based on a sample of over 37,689 properties put on the market with Connells’ 466 branches after August 2, 2007, and which exchanged before September 11 this month.

Of these, 29,844 properties had HIPs, and 7,845 properties were exempt – HIPs were introduced on a phased-in basis and some properties, for example tenanted houses, do not require HIPs.

The findings were calculated using software recording every step of the transaction, including acceptance of an offer and exchange of contracts. This showed that vendors of second-hand properties with HIPs exchanged contracts on their property on average seven calendar days faster than those without a HIP.

This is good news for the Home Information Pack industry and adds further evidence that HIPs are effective in speeding up the property buying and selling process.

Birmingham agents to face Home Information Pack crackdown

EA Today - 2nd September 2009

Birmingham agents have been put on warning that the city council is to have a second go at cracking down on Home Information Packs.  

It follows a headline-grabbing probe by the same authority a year ago, which found five out of six HIPs riddled with mistakes. However, despite threats, no prosecutions or further action followed as the council appeared to climb down. It later said it had found no evidence that personal search firms were at fault.

Birmingham is still the only authority to have carried out systematic policing of HIPs. The council has now announced that it is to carry out a compliance check on the content and accuracy of HIPs, whether they are being supplied at the right time, and whether they contain all the documents that they should, including EPCs. Particular attention will be paid to the accuracy of local search information, says the council.

If you are an estate agent, solicitor or a HIP provider worried about the quality of your reports, Green Qual provides Home Information Pack Training and Personal Search Training to property professionals and new entrants to the Home Information Pack industry.

More 'Sold' signs are reason for good cheer for HIPs Industry

EA Today - 3rd July 2009

Sold signs have been sprouting across the country, increasing to their highest number since April 2008.
According to estate agency sign supplier Agency Express, the number of Sold signs instructed by agents in June rose to the highest level for 14 months, and showed a 19.2% increase on May.

Year-on-year, there were 36.3% more Sold signs in June than June 2008. The region showing the greatest monthly increase in the number of boards moving from For Sale to Sold was the West Midlands, with a 58.7% rise, followed by the East Midlands (35.1%) and Yorkshire (28.8%).

Signs of a potential property market recovery are great news for everybody involved in the property industry, including Home Information Pack providers. However, unlike most other property related professions, people who have undergone their Home Information Pack training to become HIP providers have not been as severely affected by the dip in property sales because a HIP is required by law before the property goes onto the market (and hence is not dependent on the house selling).

Searches for Home Information Packs taking longer

EA Today - 20th April 2009

Searches are now taking longer than ever as local authorities struggle with the new April 6 HIP regime, which requires them to give full access to personal search firms who are completing searches for Home Information Packs.

It is unclear whether delays will be such that some searches will not be available, as the law now requires, 28 days from the start of marketing. Personal search firms are no longer allowed to supply insurance-backed searches with missing information for HIPs, but must produce the actual information as supplied by the local authority. It is hoped that this is just an initial "teething problem" which will resolve itself once the new systems have had chance to bed-in.

Green Qual provides Home Information Pack Training and Personal Search Training to property professionals and new entrants to the Home Information Pack industry.

Problems with the new PIQ for Home Information Packs?

EA Today - 27th Feb 2009

A number of potential problems have been highlighted with the proposed Property Information Questionnaire (PIQ), which is due to become a mandatory part of Home Information Packs from April 6th 2009.

Issues highlighted by estate agents include:

- No identity check or signature required by the home seller (who is required to complete the form)

- Unsuitability of the form for repossessed properties

- Unsuitability of the form for leasehold properties where the seller also owns part of the freehold

Green Qual Home Information Pack training courses cover all the latest changes to the HIP and we'll be monitoring Government feedback and guidance relating to the potential issues raised above. Watch this space for more information!

Interest rates fall again

BBC - 5th Feb 2009

The Bank of England has reduced interest rates to a record low of 1% from 1.5% in an attempt to boost the shrinking economy.

This marks the fifth interest rate cut since October, as the Bank seeks to encourage more lending.

However, there are concerns that savers will be hurt by lower interest rates.

And business groups argue that this rate reduction will not be enough to ease the economic crisis, and will not encourage banks to lend.

The decision comes after official data showed the UK had entered a recession in December, after two successive quarters of economic contraction.

The Bank Rate has now been reduced from 5% in October last year.

In a statement, the Bank of England said that the rate cuts, along with government measures to boost the economy, "would provide a considerable stimulus to activity as the year progressed."

Leading HIPs training providers look forward to 6th April 2009 changes

Green Qual - 5th Feb 2009

The forthcoming changes to Home Information Packs has been greeted with approval from many leading HIP training providers.

Andrew Orgill, Green Qual Sales & Home Information Pack training manager, commented: 'The improvements to personal searches and the introduction of the PIQs will certainly help improve the quality of HIPs.'

'Home Information Packs are becoming more important in the home buying and selling process as they provide a lot of very useful information to a prospective purchaser; most of which would not have previously have come to light until they had made an offer and instructed a solicitor.' continued Andrew.

Green Qual Home Information Pack & Personal Search training courses incorporate these latest changes so that delegates are equipped with up to date knowledge.

Rules on HIPs to change to include PIQs

EA Today - 17th Dec 2008

A change of regulation is likely in order to make Property Information Questionnaires a compulsory part of Home Information Packs from day one of marketing.

PIQs are to be a mandatory part of HIPs from day one, meaning that a property cannot be marketed without one, but the regulations will have to be changed.

Denis Purshouse, policy adviser at Communities and Local Government, has today confirmed the situation as follows:

“The policy intention is clear ¬– the PIQ should form part of the ‘basic’ HIP for homes marketed on or after 6 April, 2009. However, it seems that the regulations as currently drafted do not achieve that objective and we will need  to make a further small amendment to the principal regulations (I think we need to add the new regulations 8(m) and 8(n) to the list in regulation 14(1)). This is currently under consideration.”

Green Qual HIPs training courses cover the PIQs to ensure that all delegates know what to do, if and when they do actually come into force!

HIPs get positive feedback from solicitors!

SearchFlow - 27th Nov 2008

For the first time, a survey about Home Information Packs has shown that a majority of solicitors and conveyancers believe that getting rid of HIPs would be more detrimental than keeping them.

The research from SearchFlow was the result of consulting among nearly 2,000 legal professionals. Nearly six in ten (58%) thought it would be better to keep HIPs than get rid of them.

Green Qual offers a range of Home Information Pack training (HIP training) to property professionals and new entrants to the market.

A shortage of Non Domestic Energy Assessors?

There is still confusion over the numbers of Non-Domestic Energy Assessors available to carry out commercial EPCs, which which will be required for commercial properties from October.

It is believed that there are fewer than 300 commercial EPC assessors available to issue certificates on many thousands of offices, shops, warehouses and other commercial premises requiring EPCs from October 1 onwards.

The scale of the problem is not known because a request under the Freedom of Information Act to know exact numbers of inspectors, including trainees, has been refused.

The October 1 requirement affects all commercial buildings of all sizes being sold or rented. Until now, only a minority of larger business and commercial premises have been affected by the EPC requirement.

It is not known how many business premises in total are likely to be affected but it is likely to run into hundreds of thousands.

Green Qual can arrange Commercial Energy Assessor training for people interested in entering this market.

EPCs needed for homes marketed before HIPs

NAEA - 8th Sept 2008

Despite numerous rumours from the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) that the CLG (Communities & Local Government) were about to make a u-turn on the decision that EPCs will be required for all properties for sale from October 1st, it is becoming increasingly clear that this will not be the case and that EPCs will be required for all properties from this date.

The latest advice from the NAEA is:

DOMESTIC EPCs – The 1st October date stands and all property being marketed after this date will require an EPC even if they do not require a HIP because of the initial marketing date. I asked when the EPC had to be available and was told as soon as possible. E.g. you need to get on and get one and cannot wait until just before exchange of properties. However you can continue to market.

The regulation from the CLG is:

The effect of Regulation 5 of, and Schedule 1 to, the Energy Performance of Buildings (Certificates and Inspections) (England and Wales) Regulations 2007 (SI 2007 No 991), and Regulation 51(7) of those regulations as added by the Energy Performance of Buildings (Certificates and Inspections) (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2008 (SI 2008 No 647) is that from 1 October, regardless of when they were first marketed or whether they are subject to the HIP requirements, all homes being sold for occupation need an EPC and that EPC must be provided to the prospective buyer before entering into a contract to sell.

  Followed by detail from CLG

‘A property marketed without the requirement of a Home Information Pack (HIP) will require an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) from 1st October 2008. This also includes homes sold without marketing for sale e.g. by private treaty between family members or Local Authority housing will require an EPC on sale from 1 October 2008.’

Home Information Packs help to speed up sales

AHIPP - 27th Aug 2008

The Association of Home Information Pack Providers has responded to research published today by MyHomeMove, parent company of HIP provider MyHomeInformationPack.

The research shows that the time taken from instruction to exchange of contracts has fallen from 52 days a year ago to just 39 days in July of this year. The market average a year ago was 81 days.

MyHomeMove states that this is down to search and other information being available earlier in the process meaning that they can start work on a transaction as soon as they are instructed.

Mike Ockenden, Director General, AHIPP said ‘This is yet another example that HIPs, even in their incomplete state, are making a real difference to the time taken to exchange contracts. This means that consumers experience less stress and get certainty sooner than ever before’

Mr Ockenden added ‘If industry could get over the politicking and protectionism around HIPs and put the consumer at the centre of their thinking HIPs could deliver even more’

Green Qual offers Home Information Pack training to property professionals and new entrants to the market.

HIPs help save consumers money

AHIPP - 26th Aug 2008

Following suggestions that the government's Home Information Packs (Hips) scheme needs a rethink, the Association of Home Information Pack Providers (AHIPP) has hit back at critics by highlighting how consumers have benefited.

According to AHIPP, HIPs have reduced the cost of property searches carried out by local authorities by an average of £30, and they also denied claims that people regularly need to re-order searches if a property remains on the market longer than expected.

Mike Ockenden, Director General of AHIPP said "It is not necessary for purchase conveyancers to re-order searches, but even if they do, the cost savings from the inclusion of searches in HIPs far outweigh any additional cost."

He added the inclusion of property searches in the scheme saves consumers money directly.

Banks cut mortgage rates further

BBC - 7th Aug 2008

Abbey, one of the biggest mortgage lenders in UK, has announced another round of cuts in mortgage interest rates for new borrowers.

The cost of two- and three-year fixed and tracker rates is coming down by up to 0.1% after similar cuts last Friday.

The past month has seen a series of rate reductions from major lenders as well as some smaller ones.

This week the Halifax cut the cost of many of its deals again, by up to 0.38% in the case of a two-year fixed rate.

The bank reduced the rates on 30 different mortgages deals, with one two-year fixed rate deal coming down to 6.19%.

The Bank of Scotland, which is part of the HBOS group that also owns the Halifax, also cut rates on 36 deals by up to 0.7%.

Estate Agents breaking the law

BBC - 2nd Aug 2008

Some estate agents in England and Wales are breaking the law by marketing properties without ordering a Home Information Pack, the BBC has learned.

The Law Society says in some cases, Hips are not available until weeks after the property goes on the market.

"The evidence we're receiving from right across the country, be it Cornwall, London or the North East of England, is that solicitors are not receiving a Hip when the deal is struck. This can in some cases slow down the sale of the property."

If you are an estate agent, Green Qual's HIPs Training will provide you with a solution so that you can produce HIPs for all your properties (so that your agency is not breaking the law!)

High demand for HIPs despite slow market sales

Prontohips – 17th July 2008

Despite the slowdown in the housing market, many Estate Agents are still reporting high levels of new properties coming onto the market.

“House sellers are still coming onto the market in large volumes. Whether this is because they are simply unperturbed by the recent fall in prices or they just want to ‘cash-in’ before prices fall any further, I’m not too sure, but we are struggling to fit in appointments for new market appraisals” commented one agent based in the Northwest.

This is good news for Home Information Pack (HIP) providers, because since December 2007 all houses that are put up for sale now require a HIP.

Many Estate Agents and Solicitors are offering special incentives for HIPs to entice would-be home sellers to help secure future business.

EPCs required for tenanted and commercial properties

Directgov website

By October 2008 all buildings, whenever they are built, sold or rented out, will require an Energy Performance Certificate. The EPC provides 'A' to 'G' ratings for the building, with 'A' being the most energy efficient and 'G' being the least, with the average to date being 'D'.

Importantly, this will include all tenanted properties and most commercial buildings. Display Energy Certificates (DECs) will also be required for public buildings

Accredited energy assessors produce EPCs alongside an associated report which suggests improvements to make a building more energy efficient. See Directgov for more information.

Green Qual provides DEA training and Commercial Energy Assessor training (Non Domestic) for people wishing to service these new markets. Contact us today for more details.

Slow housing market possibly showing signs of recovery

BBC News – 15th July 2008

Despite the low level of people moving house, the number of surveyors reporting house price falls was not quite as high in June as it had been in May. Rics spokesman Jeremy Leaf said that there were opportunities for some would-be buyers when the market was weak.

"With demand so low, would-be buyers are negotiating from a position of strength," said Mr Leaf.

"Even in a weak market there are always opportunities for investors and buyers to profit and some are starting to circle for bargains."

Although it’s a long way from a full market recovery, these early signs are welcome news for many home sellers across the country.

Some surveyors reported that some buy-to-let investors were entering the market to take advantage of rising rent levels. So-called "predatory buyers" were also stalking the market for big reductions during the depressed market conditions.
The report also suggested there was little sign of repossessed homes being sold in large numbers because employment levels remained strong.

HIPs benefiting consumers. Plus delay of first day marketing

Communities and Local Government news release – 8th May 2008

The Government today announced a package of measures to help ensure consumers are seeing the vital information in Home Information Packs and are receiving a higher standard of service in the home buying and selling process.

The new measures include: developing a new set of standards with industry on what consumers should expect from property professionals in the home buying and selling process; further building on the quality of information in the packs; working with industry to ensure that consumers are fully seeing and benefiting from the HIP, including the EPC, early in the process; extending until the end of the year the provisions enabling consumers to market their home as long as they have ordered and committed to pay for a HIP, and the provision requiring the lease to be included in the HIP for leasehold properties.

The latest figures on HIPs show that consumers are already benefiting from the introduction of Home Information Packs. More than 700,000 homes now have energy ratings as a result of HIPs, helping home owners to save money on their fuel bills and cut carbon emissions. Greater competition in the property searches market is also leading to reductions in costs with some local authorities reducing their search fees by up to £120.

This announcement also meant that there is a delay of first day marketing; this was originally scheduled for the 1st June 2008 and has now been delayed until 31st December 2008.

The provision for first day marketing allows a property to be marketed without a HIP as long as the required documents have been commissioned and paid for (or arrangements for payment made) and there is an expectation they will arrive within 28 days.

Green Qual provides Home Information Pack training to property professionals and new entrants to the market.

Full roll out of HIPs announced

Ministerial Statement by Yvette Cooper – 22nd November 2007

The Government set out their approach and criteria for phasing the implementation of Home Information Packs (HIPs) including Energy Performance Certificates on 11 June. Sixty per cent of the market is now covered by HIPs. And the criteria for roll out to the rest of the market have now been met. We will therefore complete the phased roll out by extending coverage to the rest of the market from 14 December.

First time buyers of one and two bedroom homes will be the main beneficiaries as they will now get important information about their new home for free. Information such as searches for which they would previously have had to pay will now be included in the HIP paid for by the seller, reducing the costs of the first step onto the property ladder.

But all householders will benefit from having detailed information about the energy efficiency of their home, and measures to save on their fuel bills and cut carbon emissions.

HIPs required for properties with 3 or more bedrooms

Communities and Local Government news release – 10th September 2007

The Government is today extending EPCs and HIPs to three bedroom homes so more buyers will get the same information to cut carbon emissions and reduce fuel bills.

The early findings come from a snapshot survey of energy assessors and EPCs provided since the launch of HIPs, which show average 4 bedroom homes are being rated 'E' and could typically save £180 on heating, £60 on lighting and £30 on hot water bills, a year.

The top 5 recommendations given by assessors for improving energy efficiency have been: cavity wall insulation, changing to low energy lighting, putting thermostatic valves on radiators, loft insulation, and double glazing.

The introduction HIPs is already starting to reduce costs and improve transparency in the housing market. More than 85 local authorities have reduced their search costs, in some cases by more than £100

HIPs to be introduced on a phased basis

Ministerial Statement by Yvette Cooper – 22nd May 2007

The Government is today announcing that we will be implementing Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) and Home Information Packs (HIPs) from 1 August instead of 1 June. The Government has also reached an agreement with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) on their judicial review of Energy Performance Certificates.

The Judge, considering the application for Judicial Review by RICS, had issued an Order preventing EPC's from being included in HIPs from 1 June until a court had fully considered the RICs application.
We did not consider it to be acceptable or practical to delay the introduction of EPCs in this way.

We have always made clear greater transparency in the housing market and tackling climate change goes hand in hand. In addition, we have created a new energy assessor workforce - the majority of whom expect to start work in June.

Therefore HIPs and EPCs will be introduced on August 1, implemented on a phased basis. From August 1 packs - including energy performance certificates - will be required for the sale of four bedroom properties and larger. These are the properties which are the most energy inefficient. We will phase in packs for smaller properties as sufficient energy assessors become ready to start work.

Green Qual offers a range of Home Information Pack training to property professionals and new entrants to the market.

 

Useful External Links

For all the latest Home Information Pack news, visit the Communities and Local Government (CLG) website.

The Energy Saving Trust - access information about housing and building energy efficiency.

Loft Lagger Loft Insulation Specialists - access information about loft insulation grants and general loft insulation and cavity wall insulation advice.

Home Information Packs - We are listed as Home Information Pack Providers http://www.homeinspectorsuk.co.uk