Research has shown that Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) are having no bearing on the sale of properties.
After the lack of uptake for the Government’s Green Deal programme, the lack of impact of another of their key environmental initiatives will surely be a disappointment to policy makers.
The research, conducted by County Homesearch, has not come across a single case where buyers have queried the energy performance of a home to negotiate a price.
They also found no transactions have been driven down in price because of a poor EPC since the introduction of assessment in 2007.
Jonathan Haward, spokesperson for County Homesearch said: “With extensive knowledge of what is happening on the ground, it safe to say the EPC is a blunt instrument and has made no discernible difference to housing stock in the country.
“Aside from the fact that the reports can sometimes be inaccurate and incomplete, buyers prioritise factors such as aesthetics, transport links and security over energy efficiency.
“The structural survey is usually relied upon for in depth information on levels of insulation which is an indication to energy consumption within a property.”
Does this match your experience of the initiative? Do you think EPC’s are redundant?
