The Government has today announced that the implementation date for Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) and Home Information Packs (HIPs) will be from 1st August instead of 1st 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 EPCs from being included in HIPs from 1 June until a court had fully considered the RICS application. The Government has therefore been in negotiation with RICS in order to avoid a lengthy delay as a result of the legal process. The Government can today announce an agreement has been reached with RICS and will now revise regulations and implement the following changes:
* HIPs and EPCs to start 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. HIPs for smaller properties will be phased in as sufficient energy assessors become ready to start work.
* Until the end of the year, property owners will be allowed to market their properties as soon as they have commissioned a pack, rather than making them wait until the pack has been received.
* As a temporary measure, EPCs may be up to twelve months old when the property is put up for sale and there will be further consultation on the long-term arrangements for the age of EPCs.
* The Government will also be inviting councils and registered social landlords to work on the introduction of EPCs on a voluntary basis in social housing.
Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly said: "We are pleased we have reached an agreement with the RICS and potentially avoided a lengthy court case and months of delays. The approach we have set out preserves the principles of HIPs and EPCs, while ensuring a transition period for people buying and selling their property. Most importantly, it provides an opportunity to make real progress towards cutting carbon emissions from our homes."
