Hips 'will make energy efficiency a requirement of sale'

Homeowners could find that improving their properties' energy efficiency becomes a financial as well as environmental imperative once Home information packs (Hips) are introduced on August 1st, an industry body has suggested.

The National Home Improvement Council (NHIC) has said that environmentally friendly homes are set to achieve greater success on the market once the energy performance certificates that will come with the packs are introduced.

Such certificates will give properties an energy efficiency rating from A to G, with NHIC advising that many key efficiency measures remain relatively inexpensive to implement.

"It doesn't need to cost a great deal of money to make a contribution," commented Andrew Leech, a consultant at NHIC.

"Of course, if your home doesn't hit the rating then you're going to have trouble selling it. So it's in the home-owners interest to keep up to speed with home improvements which are bringing energy efficiency measures into the home."

"I think Hips will definitely make a difference…and people will definitely have to tow the line," Mr Leech added.


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