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Inspectors ‘unprepared for new build HIPs’
15 March 2008
The issuing of Home Information Packs (HIPs) for new build properties could be hampered because inspectors are not prepared to handle them, it has been claimed.
From April, new builds will require a HIP but as they do not require a traditional search, the energy performance certificate (EPC) will be distinctly different.
Dominic Toller, director of marketing and new business at LMS, claimed that there were no training courses at the moment for people to be accredited for surveying new build properties.
Toller said: “Assessors will need a different qualification to do a full Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) but there is no one available and until the course is rolled out there will be no official procedure for qualifying surveyors.”
Paul Staley, managing director of Energy Reports and Surveys Ltd, said: “At the moment there is no agreement on how to build an EPC off the SAP as there are no training courses to put people through to make comparables on site. The architect will do the SAP rating as part of the building and a domestic energy assessor would look at the pre-EPC and sign it off.
“When a property is being built a SAP will need to be submitted to make sure it complies, but I am not going to put anyone through any training until everything is signed off – as ever things are uncertain. This also affects green housing, as when a house is zero carbon there is no stamp duty payable, making it more saleable in the future.”