Doubts cast of EPC introduction

Posted: 23 Mar 2007 14:37:14 GMT

Doubts have been cast over the introduction of Energy Performance Certificates (EPC), following Wednesday's budget

Doubts have been cast over the introduction of Energy Performance Certificates (EPC), following Wednesday's budget.

EPCs are due to become part of Home Information packs that will legally required of property sellers in the UK.

According to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics), the Chancellor's budget report shows ambivalence about the introduction of EPCs.

While the Department of Communities and Local Government (CLG) had said that EPCs must be present in HIPs upon their launch date of June 1st this year, in his budget the Chancellor uses the phrase "later this year."

Rics is hoping this may open a window to push back the launch of EPCs, which it views as cumbersome.

Rics spokesperson James Scott Lee said: "The Chancellor also seems to propose a flexible approach to when EPCs should be produced."

Referring to the notion that HIPS will help the environment, he added: "The Government needs to stop trying to force expensive, ineffective and counter-productive implementation plans on industry and consumers under the guise of environmental protection."

The Rics has asked the CLG to delay the introduction of EPCs until November on a number of occasions.



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