The EPC makes “standardisted assumptions” so it is not likely to be accurate. For example my heating/hot water cost estimates are nearly double the true cost.

If any of my viewers had shown the slightest interest in the EPC/HIP I may have been bothered to contact the HIP provider, but thankfully they didn’t.

I would be interested to find out how much CO2 is produced when compiling an EPC.

You really do seem to have been let down by your HIP provider. If you do not feel the EPC was carried out incorrectly i would contact your provider in the first instance to see if they can explain the problems you have detailed.

In addition, the EPC on the property I am selling is incorrect because the energy assessor could not easily see the loft insulation during the ‘head & shoulders’ inspection she performed. My modern central heating system was rated ‘poor’ even though TRV’s are fitted, simply because there is no room thermostat (not needed). It a good job most buyers dont even look at it (according to her).

Some of the lower cost measures which are often contained within the report, will return the intial outlay within 1-2 years.

With the grants available these costs are often subsidised and make the improvements ‘cheap’ and in some cases free. We wrote an article about the support you can receive in regard to EPC recommendations here.

In most circumstances we have found people have welcomed being able to reduce their energy consumption, bills and CO2 emmisions, especially with the energy price rises anticipated.

Current information within the HIP provides useful and essential information for the buying and selling process. A few examples of the exisiting information/benefits you can gain from the HIP.

-does the owner have legal ownership to sell the property.
-terms of the lease if applicable
-any building work, has this been carried out to planning and building regs.
-energy efficiency of the property
-any proposed building/development in the area.

This information and the answers to some of these questions can make, break or delay a sale.

Yes, there is some new information contained within a HIP but alot has always been required. The main difference is now we provide this information at the start of the process not at the end.

1 A waste of time for the purchaser whose lender will ignore the findings and instruct the purchaser to obtain a valuation with/without survey

2 A waste of money for the vendor who is unable to reclaim the fee charged from the purchaser

The only possible interest is for the Energy Cert. Even so the cost of remedial works to significantly improve the building (if permitted in the case of a Listed property i.e. double glazing) or achievable (i.e. concrete construction) is meaningless.

This is one of the worst pieces of ill conceived legislation since the Dangerous Dogs Act or The Anti Hunting Ban.

The two most important things you want to know about a prospective purchase are:-

1. What is the value?
2. Is it structurally sound?

The HIP tells you neither!

A drop dead date where all properties need a HIP regardless of date that the property was initially marketed has been spoken about but not announced. However, you must have an EPC.

Hope this helps.