News

24 March 2009

From April 6th, if you're selling your home, there are two key changes you need to know about. The first change is that, from this date, the Home Information Pack (HIP) will need to be available from the first day your property is put on the market.

The second change is to the HIP itself, which will now contain a new Property Information Questionnaire. The PIQ, which you will need to complete, will provide a summary of key information about your property in one place. This compulsory one-stop checklist gives buyers information they need to know before making any decision. First-time buyers, with little experience of buying a home, will find this particularly helpful.

The PIQ aims to reduce unnecessary delays caused by information coming to light later in the home selling and buying process. By ensuring that common questions are answered at the beginning, and before sellers or buyers invest heavily in a transaction, unwanted surprises can be avoided later on.

These changes are being introduced to HIPs so that better information is available from the first day a property is put on the market, helping to inform decisions for sellers and buyers, and helping to make the home selling and buying process more straightforward.

9 September 2008

October marks the final roll-out of energy certificates to all buildings and today (Tuesday, 9 September) Communities and Local Government has updated the Energy Performance of Buildings regulations for Energy Performance Certificates, responding to consumer and industry needs.

The infrastructure is in place to support 1st October go live date when the certificate will be extended to rented homes, commercial properties under 2,500m2 and all remaining homes for sale including those on the market before the phased introduction of EPCs for domestic properties in 2007. By 1st October public buildings will also need to have a Display Energy Certificate.

Since being introduced in 2007, more than one million Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) have been produced and registered in England and Wales – with the average rating being a ‘C’ for commercial properties and a ‘D’ for homes.

The measures which come into force for October include:

  • extending the validity period of the EPC for homes when marketed for sale – currently one year - to three years. This has been the result of extensive consultation; and
  • clarifying arrangements for the October roll-out for commercial buildings already on the market which will be similar to those put in place in April and July. This means that any non-domestic building on the market before 1st October and remaining on the market will need an EPC by 1st January at the latest. If it is sold or rented out in the meantime, an EPC must be commissioned and then handed over as soon as is practicable. This measure is intended to make it easier for owners and landlords to comply with the legislation, avoid market fluctuations and is in response to expectations from the industry.

October marks the completion of the introduction of EPCs. The full timetable is below:

Homes:

  • Since 1st August 2007 all homes going on the market with 4+ bedrooms have required an EPC when sold

  • Since 10th September 2007 all homes going on the market with 3+ bedrooms have required an EPC when sold

  • Since 14th December 2007 all homes going on the market with one or more bedrooms have required an EPC when sold

  • Since 6th April 2008 all new-built homes have required an EPC
  • From 1st October all remaining homes for sale (including those which had been on the market from before the above dates) will require an EPC and all homes for rent will require an EPC when newly rented.

Commercial:

  • Commercial buildings also require an EPC when built, sold or rented. Since 6th April 2008 this has applied to buildings over 10,000m2; since 1st July 2008 to buildings over 2,500m2.
  • From 1st October they will apply to all remaining commercial buildings.