Local businesses join forces on HIPs to provide EPCs - 26 April 2007

Wards Solicitors has entered into an agreement with Sustain Ltd (a national sustainability consultancy based in Wrington), for Sustain to provide Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) for Home Information Packs (HIPs). HIPs come into force from 1 June 2007 for anyone selling a residential property and EPCs form a key part of the pack.

The EPC will outline the costs of heating, hot water and lighting in the property and give the buyer practical advice on how to cut these costs and reduce emissions. The Government estimates that if only 20% of new homeowners make the basic changes set out in their EPC, it would save around £100 million a year on energy bills and cut carbon emissions by the equivalent of taking 100,000 cars off UK roads.

Susan Ellis, a property partner at Wards comments: “We are committed to providing our customers and agents with a quality and responsive HIP solution. After trialing several suppliers, we are delighted to be able to offer EPCs from Sustain, a leading sustainability consultancy, with a proven track record in this field. Sustain – like us – are headquartered locally and will provide reports based on local knowledge and accessibility across all 10 of our offices in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire”.

Ian Shellard, Sustain’s EPC Project Manager adds: “Wards approached us and we were impressed at how advanced they were. They have been tracking progress and providing clients and the property sector with quarterly updates on HIPs. We are pleased to be working alongside them to provide their conveyancing clients with a tailored and responsive solution”.