UK Energy Rating Certificates - vendor disclosure

You sell a house in the UK – part of the vendor disclosure requirements is providing prospective buyers with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)

Homes will be rated on a scale of A-G, similar to fridge ratings, as well as a list of practical measures to cut their fuel bills and carbon emissions. By acting on the recommendations listed in the Energy Performance Certificate, the average homeowner is expected to save £300 a year on fuel bills and help to reduce the 27% of the UK’s carbon emissions currently generated by our homes.

The EPC will be compulsory as part of Home Information Packs from 1 June 2007. The EPCs will outline the costs of heating, hot water and lighting in homes and give practical advice on how to cut these costs and reduce emissions

If one fifth of homeowners made the basic changes set out in their EPC they could save around £100 million a year on their energy bills and cut carbon emissions by the equivalent of taking 100,000 cars off the roads.

By cutting energy consumption, society will be working together to tackle climate change. A UK statistic is 27% of carbon emissions come from homes. Until now householders haven't had energy efficiency facts about their houses upfront; but next June 2007 every homebuyer will know exactly how energy efficient their homes are - and how they can improve this.

Trials will begin shortly with inspections being managed by Surveyors and Valuers Accreditors (certifiers for inspectors)

Source Department Communities and Local Government UK

But according to John Howard Prime Minister Australia – “There is no scientific evidence for climate change”

On the day the Kyoto Protocol came into effect the Prime Minister, John Howard, dismissed it as "next to useless" and harmful for Australia to participate in the international global warming agreement.

Victoria - what are you waiting for? Act now and follow the example and lead being set by the UK. Provide economic incentives, Ditto mortgage lenders could all be issuing green mortgages linked to Home Energy Ratings.