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EPCs required for ALL properties which change ownership from 1st October 2008 - this includes those homes which have been on the market since before the HIPs legislation was introduced. This rule was modified when HIPs were abolished, such that a homeowner now has to commission an EPC before they can advertise their property for sale.

The following is cut and pasted from a West London Property Forum

"Green Properties Sell Faster and Are Worth More"
'Carbon appeal' set to replace 'kerb appeal' when it comes to swaying buyers

Buyers are willing to pay an average of £3,350 more for a green home.

New research from the Energy Saving Trust reveals that energy efficient homes could be a vital driver to keeping the property market moving, with 'carbon appeal' set to replace 'kerb appeal' when it comes to swaying buyers. The study reveals that half of UK homeowners believe homes with greener features are easier to sell in the current market and 53% of all householders say they would be willing to pay extra for them.

The research reveals however, that estate agents could be under-selling the value of greener homes through a lack of information.

Despite the fact that householders are willing to pay on average £3,350 more for a 'green' home, almost half (49%) feel that estate agents don't put enough value on a home's green features and 56 per cent feel that estate agents don't know enough about energy efficiency performance. There is a clear appetite for clearer information however, as two-thirds (66%) of householders would like more guidance from estate agents on the likely running costs of a home.

For more on this subject, click here to access a copy of the "Hidden Value Guide" and find out how energy-saving features can add value to your home.

HIP Regulations suspended--21st May 2010

From now on, a HIP is not required at all when selling a home.

Despite the fact that the HIP seemed to have made the subsequent sale transaction quicker and easier, the new Government has acted upon its pledge to remove them.

RULES:

In order to ensure that people selling their homes continue to make an EPC available to prospective buyers, the Government has also laid before Parliament the Energy Performance of Buildings (Certificates and Inspections) (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2010 which introduce a number of new requirements including:

a) a new duty on the seller to ensure that an EPC has been commissioned before marketing of the property commences where no such certificate is already available

b) an EPC has been commissioned when a DEA has been instructed to prepare the EPC and the EPC has either been paid for or has given a clear undertaking to pay for it

c) a new duty on the person acting on behalf of the seller to be satisfied that an EPC has been commissioned before commencing marketing

d) a new duty on both the seller and a person acting on their behalf to make reasonable efforts to secure an EPC within 28 days

e) all of the new duties carry fixed penalties where somebody fails in the duty conferred on them by the new regulations