Dear Jonathan,
I am thinking of putting my house on the market. I understand that I no longer need a Home Information Pack before I can do this. I thought I could put the house on the market without it costing me anything, but the estate agents tell me I still need an Energy Performance Certificate. Is this right?
You are correct that a Home Information Pack is no longer required before you can put your house on the market. The Government suspended the legislation with immediate effect from May 21, 2010. The requirement for an Energy Performance Certificate, which was one part of the HIP, however remains.
An Energy Performance Certificate rates the energy efficiency of your home with A-G ratings, similar to those you see on the front of washing machines and other white goods. Energy assessors produce the EPC together with a report which suggests how you can make the property more energy efficient.
This is a part of Europe-wide legislation which is aimed to help and reduce carbon emissions from buildings and help fight climate change.
The EPC has to be produced within 28 days of putting the house on the market.
Readers who submit articles must agree to our terms of use. The content is the sole responsibility of the contributor and is unmoderated. But we will react if anything that breaks the rules comes to our attention. If you wish to complain about this article, contact us here
Readers who submit articles must agree to our terms of use. The content is the sole responsibility of the contributor and is unmoderated. But we will react if anything that breaks the rules comes to our attention. If you wish to complain about this article, contact us here
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here