Requirements For EPC Clarified

As a Government early-adopter organisation, home inspectors.co.uk have received a letter from Neil McDonald, Director of Housing at the DCLG (Department of Communities and Local Government) which provides further information about the arrangements that need to be put in place for the mandatory introduction of Energy Performance Certificates.

The letter we have received from the DCLG confirms the following key issues:

* Energy Performance Certificates will become mandatory as part of HIPs from next June.
* Only those who are fully qualified and certificated will be allowed to prepare Energy Performance Certificates.
* The only qualification that currently exists that will enable the holders to carry out Energy Performance Certificates for Home Information Packs is the Home Inspector qualification.
* DCLG is working with Asset Skills on developing a robust National Occupational Standard to provide a framework for a qualification for energy inspection. DCLG expect this to be available around the turn of the year.
* As agreed at the recent Asset Skills meeting, DCLG will work with stakeholders to develop an Energy Assessor qualification which trainees could achieve having completed parts of the Home Inspector diploma course. The intention is that this qualification will be available early next year.
* As an interim step, DCLG will work with Asset Skills to identify those parts of the Home Inspector qualification that are likely to be required to enable prospective Home Inspectors to qualify at the earliest opportunity as Energy Assessors, once that qualification becomes available.
* Others may develop stand alone Energy Assessor qualifications which meet the National Occupational Standard once it is available.
* All Energy Assessors (and Home Inspectors) will have to be members of an approved certification scheme.
* Whilst those who have completed the relevant parts of their Home Inspector diploma will, once certificated, be able to practice as Energy Assessors, those who complete the full diploma will have the added benefit of being able to offer their clients the full HCR at the same time.

Chief Executive of home inspectors.co.uk, Stephen Callaghan says: 'Although the Government will undoubtedly put more flesh on the bones of this statement over the next few weeks, this letter from the DCLG brings further clarification to the qualification requirements surrounding the mandatory Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) element of the Home Information Pack (HIP). Importantly, as we are on the Government Stakeholder Group recently set up to develop the new Energy Assessor qualification, we will be in a good position to influence the overall shape of the process as well as the technical detail. The DCLG also tell us they hope to set out in September the steps that they will be taking to facilitate the voluntary take-up of Home Condition Reports. This will be yet another vital part of the whole picture and we will report any more news as it is received.'