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Energy certificate spot checks planned
Wednesday, 25 March 2009
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Northern Ireland householders selling their home without an Energy Performance Certificate when government officials visit next week will face fines of up to £1,000, it was revealed yesterday.
The Department of Finance and Personnel will be carrying out a series of spot checks at properties being marketed for sale or rent in a bid to see if an EPC is in place, the Belfast Telegraph can reveal.
EPCs, which rates a home’s |energy efficient on a scale of A to G, became a legal requirement for all residential properties for sale or rent last year.
However, this announcement is the first clear sign from the DFP of enforcing the legislation and penalising those householders or landlords who don’t have an EPC.
Local estate agents have |received a letter from the department spelling out its intention to impose penalties on those who don’t comply with the requirements.
A DFP spokesman said in the letter to estate agents: “We |intend undertaking follow-up visiting during the coming weeks.” He added the department was of the view “sufficient time has elapsed since the introduction of the regulations”.
The penalty for not producing an EPC is £200 for each breach of the regulations.
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Two questions - does a new home really need one to be rented out or sold shortly after completion and lets face it does anyone ever read these certificates???
Posted by CP | 06.04.09, 20:23 GMT
As an Independent Domestic Energy Assessor I have to say that a survey to obtain an EPC is very worthwhile not just because it is the law but because it informs vendors about the energy costs and savings which can be made. It also serves to inform those same vendors areas to explore when buying their next property. Most home owners are quite surprised at the savings which can be made and are appreciative of the detail and recommendations in the certificate issued. Equally prospective buyers are entitled to know what the energy costs of the property are likely to be and are able to plan in future improvements often at very little cost. In my view the EPC is neither a deal maker or deal breaker but helps everyone involved. Check prices as they vary widely!
Posted by Mervyn Waddell | 02.04.09, 11:19 GMT
The EPC is an essential step to encouraging reduced CO2 levels, and hence reduced fuel bills and a better living environment for us and for children of the future. People seem to think that it's all about costly improvements to their homes in order to achieve a higher rating, but even the cheapest and simplest of measures can make a huge difference. For example, insulation can reap the benefits in money saved on fuel bills in no time. But turning down the thermostat can have the greatest impact - EPCs dont currently account for actual fuel usage, but i think that this is another important aspect which must be considered in the near future.
But if the EPC is to be implemented then it needs to be done right and not half-heartedly, otherwise it won't be taken seriously (as has been the general attitude to date) and will just be viewed as another way for the government to 'raise extra revenue'. Which is why I think it is about time more stringent enforcement measures were in place.
Posted by Debs | 26.03.09, 12:45 GMT
Not before time I say - in answer to Douglas Eskine's comment it has nothing whatsoever to do with indirect taxation as the requirement to have an Energy Performance Certificate was brought about because of the UK Government's support of the Kyoto Protocol and its challenging targets for the reduction of carbon emissions where reducing the energy consumption attributable to buildings is a key policy objective. As for the comment "Hard pressed home owners and landlords" - with interest rates at their lowest for over 300 years how precisely does he figure that out? Anyway an EPC only costs about £100 maximum so just get it done and stop moaning or are you just one of those people who moans about their TV licence, the Rates, etc etc?
Posted by Just Live With It | 25.03.09, 13:53 GMT
Just what hard pressed owners need at this moment in time. The introduction of this legislation beggars belief. Property prices down 30%, no money to buy houses, yet here we have our heroic mla's and their( supposed to be our) trusty civil servants looking to raise extra revenue from hard pressed home owners and landlords. This is just another form of indirect taxation, ah well at least the revenue collected will help pay the bonus 's our poor MLA's receive!
Posted by douglas erskine | 25.03.09, 11:31 GMT