Newly qualified Domestic Energy Assessor, Craig Turner joins his colleagues Amanda Lowes and Stuart Coward
(with pic l-r Stuart Coward and Amanda Lowes with newly qualified Domestic Energy Assessor, Craig Turner)
In light of the Government’s recent announcement to abolish Home Information Packs (HIPs), Poole Townsend, the region’s largest independent solicitor, estate agent and financial adviser has trained its third Domestic Energy Assessor (Dea), Craig Turner.
If you are buying, selling or renting a domestic property in the UK it is a compulsory requirement to have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). The EPC gives information on how energy efficient your home is and the report suggests ways in which you can reduce your carbon dioxide emissions.
Craig Turner has recently undertaken his Dea training and is now the firm’s third qualified Domestic Energy Assessor.
Amanda Lowes, Domestic Energy Assessor, comments: “Now that we have three qualified assessors in-house we can undertake more EPC’s on behalf of clients. Being able to do this in-house, helps speed up the buying/selling process. However, we can also undertake EPC’s for landlords of rented properties and for properties we are not instructed on.
“As qualified Domestic Energy Assessors, our role is to assess domestic properties and produce a report suggesting ways in which homes can become more energy efficient. The report shows the properties energy ratings and compares the current energy efficiency and carbon dioxide emissions with potential figures that the property could achieve. Potential figures are calculated by estimating what the energy efficiency and carbon dioxide emissions would be if energy saving measures were put in place.
EPCs also provide a detailed recommendation report showing what you could do to help reduce the amount of energy you use and your carbon dioxide emissions. The report lists:
Suggested improvements, like installing loft insulation
Possible cost savings per year, if the improvements are made and
How the recommendations would change the energy and carbon emission rating of the property
You don’t have to act on the recommendations in the report. However, if you decide to do so, it could make your property more attractive for sale or rent by making it more energy efficient.
Once a sale has been agreed, a local search is still required to be undertaken, along with a drainage search, but these will no longer be required before you start marketing your home and the cost will not be born by the vendor. Another plus point for consumers is that an EPC is much cheaper than a HIP, making a cost saving of up to £350.
Craig adds: “This is a new and exciting role for me. The firm has always encouraged me and this was an opportunity to improve my knowledge base and broaden my skills”.
To order your Energy Performance Certificate contact Poole Townsend on: (01229) 588111
