IWDEA
Ian Walker Dip DEA
London South East & Kent Areas
My aim is to offer Energy Assessments and Independent HIPS via an efficient, reliable and personal service at competitive prices to local independent practitioners and home owners across South East London & Kent areas. Building local relationships will be important for the HIP market, and using an Independent, trusted local professional DEA with local knowledge to help fulfil your EPC & HIP needs will result in you receiving a more efficient and reliable service. I am a fully qualified Domestic Energy Assessor who trained at the National Energy Centre in Milton Keynes. I hold the ABBE Level 3 Diploma in Domestic Energy Assessments, and am fully accredited with NHER/SAVA, Accreditation Number NHER002411
You can check my accreditation details at https://www.hcrregister.com
The impact of climate change is one of the most challenging issues of our time. The energy that we use in our home is one of the key contributors to our carbon footprint. We can all help to reduce our carbon footprint by cutting the amount of (CO2) emissions and thus our fuel bills. Almost 40 per cent of the total energy consumption of the UK is from the way that our homes are run. By measuring the amount of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions that our homes use, we will be able to assess how this will impact on the environment. An Energy Assessment looks at the home itself and is based on size, age, construction, insulation, and services such as heating and lighting. This is known as an Asset Rating. This rating looks at the overall performance of the home and is graded from A-G similar to that on white goods, the higher the rating the more efficient the property is, the lower the rating the more inefficient. There will also be an Environmental Impact Rating which shows the CO2 emissions that the home produces. The higher the rating the better the home is to the environment. The report will also detail measures on how to reduce your carbon emissions with recommendations on ways to improve the homes efficiency. This would result in savings in your fuel bills as well as helping the environment. The EU directive 2002 states that by 2009 all public buildings in the UK will have to have an Energy Performance Certificate on display, this will be known as a Displayed Energy Certificate (DEC). You do not have to be selling your home to have an Energy Assessment carried out, but is mandatory where a property is to be sold. The Energy Performance Certificate is part of the government’s commitments to improving your property's efficiency. By helping you to lower your energy bills, this could also make your home more attractive to potential purchasers and thus help in the reduction of your homes carbon footprint. This will ultimately help with the impact your home is contributing to climate change.
Under European legislation on August 1st 2007, it became a legal requirement for anyone selling (on the open market) a domestic property of 3 bedrooms and above to compile an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) to be included in the Home Information Pack before the property can be marketed by an Estate Agent. This was extended to include all properties from 14th December 2007. You will be required to have the Home Information Pack including the Energy Performance Certificate formally requested before you can market your property. Rented properties will also require an EPC in the very near future. It is therefore very important that the EPC is carried out as soon as possible after the decision to sell is made.
What is in a Home Information Pack?Your home information Pack will include an Energy Performance Certificate. An Energy Performance Certificate will tell you how energy efficient your home is on a scale of A-G. The most efficient homes which should have the lowest fuel bills are in band A. The certificate also tells you, on a scale of A-G, about the impact the home has on the environment. Better rated homes should have less impact through lower carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. The average property in the UK is in bands D-E for both ratings. The Certificate includes recommendations on ways to improve the home's energy efficiency which could help save you money and help the environment. Your Home Information Pack will also include a Sale Statement. This Statement should provide some basic information about the property, including:
The address of the property being sold.
Whether the property is freehold, leasehold or commonhold.
Whether the property is registered or unregistered.
Whether or not the property is being sold with vacant possession.
Standard Searches
The Home Information Pack must also include the following standard searches: The local land charges register relating to the property being sold. Once this search is completed, (which can be carried out by a personal search company or local authority), you will receive an official search certificate; Other records held by the local authority on matters of interest to buyers, such as planning decisions and road building proposals (these are referred to as local enquiries in the Home Information Pack regulations, (a local authority or a personal search company can be used)); Drainage and Water services to the property (the local water company or a personal search company can be used (however, the search must comply with the HIP regulations)).
Evidence of Title
These documents prove that the seller owns the property and therefore has the right to sell it. Where the property being sold is registered, certain documents that are available on request from the Land Registry must be included in the pack. These provide an up-to-date official record of who owns the land, and consist of official copies of the individual register (made up of a property register, proprietorship register and, typically a charges register). It also contains an official copy of the title plan.
To view an Energy Performance Certificate please click on the link below.
http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/housing/pdf/energy-certificate
Homeowners
From 14th December 2007 all properties will by law be required to have their Home Information Pack requested before you can market the property either privately or with an Estate Agent. You can make this procedure easier by getting your Home Information Pack completed in advance before you approach an Estate Agent. I can supply you with your Home Information Pack. Alternatively, if you are a homeowner who wants to do your "bit" for the environment and you simply require an Energy Assessment to help improve your homes efficiency the process is simple. I will contact you to arrange a convenient time to visit your property and carry out the Inspection. The assessment will last approximately an hour depending on the size of the property, I will then compile the report and have the EPC to you within 24hrs of the Inspection or if you require the full HIP this can be completed within 5 days in most cases.
Landlords/Managing Agents
The introduction of Energy Performance Certificates to Social Housing including Landlords and Tenants in October 2008 will have major implications for registered social Landlords. If you are a Landlord or Managing Agent and require an Energy Performance Certificate then I am happy to offer a service tailored to your specific requirements.
Business Professionals
If you are a Business Professional compiling your own HIPs for your clients you will require someone to carry out the Energy Assessment on your behalf. The individual carrying out the Energy Assessment will be representing your firm and you will therefore be concerned to know that this individual will be professional and act with honesty and integrity with your clients offering a consistently reliable, local and efficient service.
Estate Agents
I have teamed up with 3 of the most respected Independent companies in the HIP industry and I am able to offer reliable Hips to Estate Agents. I believe that the best service to the home seller & buyers will be achieved by creating and maintaining trusted connections between a known DEA and the Estate Agent. This is of course vital as the DEA will be visiting properties being marketed by you and the Energy Assessor will be seen to be a representative of the Estate Agent. Knowing you have a designated DEA that you will have direct contact with will in certain cases speed up the whole process. Once your Home Information Pack has been compiled you will be sent an automatic e-mail link which will allow you to view the full HIP online. This I feel should save you the Estate Agent time and money and if you require you can simply print the HIP at your office at a fraction of the cost of ordering a hard copy. If however a bound copy is required these can be arranged at competitive prices. The full benefits include: A dedicated Energy Assessor who would represent your office; Competitive Prices; Easy online ordering; the ability to track the progress and you keep control over the complete process. Deferred payment option is available if required. My service standard is to have the full HIP completed within 3 - 5 working days.
