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We have today received information from CLG that a large number of SAP EPC have been lodged to Landmark with a transaction type that is not equal to "new build". OCDEAs are reminded that in the majority of cases a SAP assessment for newly constructed dwellings should be lodged with a transaction type of "new dwelling". Buildings should also be classified as "new dwellings" in the circumstances described below.

1. A dwelling which have been modified to have more or fewer parts that are designed to be used separately. For a home, a part designed or altered to be used separately means a self-contained unit designed to accommodate a single household. This would imply it has its own kitchen and bathroom.
2. A dwelling created by a material change of use such as conversions. If a non-domestic property, such as a barn or warehouse is converted into a home. These qualify under the regulations for newly built homes.

We will be investigating SAP EPCs that have been lodged with a transaction type other than new build, to confirm that the right transaction type has been used. Assessors may need to re-lodge EPCs that have the wrong transaction type recorded.

Recent bulletins have explained how this will affect you and the possible routes to temporary suspension or even termination of membership due to failure to comply with the guidance relating to:

• Minimum evidence levels relating to both content and quality.
• Time taken to provide complete evidence for audit.
• Rectification measure for any audit failures.

Further details can be found via the Energy Portal

All EPC lodged on or after the 1^st July will have to meet these guidelines.

Extend the use of EPC data to combat climate change

Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) have a key role to play in raising the awareness of our building’s carbon footprints and promoting energy efficiency measures, says Northgate Public Services today.

Responding to the Department of Communities and Local Government consultation Making better use of Energy Performance Certificates, Northgate say that the recent abolition of Home Information Packs (HIPs) will make EPCs more visible and give them a greater role in tackling climate change.

The organisation says that information from EPCs must be used to promote energy efficiency measures and not simply be an academic resource. Therefore, they suggest, EPC information should be more accessible to promote energy efficiency measures. In particular they cite the way in which Local Authorities could use this information to target energy efficiency measures at those areas most in need.

Northgate also say that the 10 year validity period for EPCs is too long and should be reduced to a period of three to five years. This would ensure that information is kept up to date and would reflect any energy efficiency measures taken during this period.

Russell Osborne, Managing Director of Citizen Solutions for Northgate Public Services, said today: “Climate change is one of the most pressing issues we currently face. Given that buildings account for almost half of the UK’s carbon emissions, EPCs are central to the vision of creating a zero carbon nation. On an individual level the information can be used to improve the state of a property. However, opening up access to the data would allow it to be used on a larger scale by Local Authorities to target measures and combat fuel poverty.

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For more information

Fellows’ Associates
Kathy Sutton   
020 7324 6221; 07966 890401
Hannah Smith            
020 7324 6222; 07949 421356

Communities Secretary Eric Pickles and Housing Minister Grant Shapps have announced that from 21st May 2010, they are suspending the requirement for homeowners to provide a Home Information Pack (HIP) when selling their homes.

Mr Pickles and Mr Shapps also said that the Government is determined to help people reduce their energy bills, improve our energy security and tackle climate change by increasing the energy efficiency of their homes. Sellers will therefore still be required to commission, but won't need to have received, an EPC before marketing their property, and the Government will consider how the EPC can play its part in the new drive for a low carbon and eco-friendly economy.

To read the full CLG press release please visit http://www.communities.gov.uk/news/corporate/1591777

To read the questions and answers from CLG pleae visit: http://www.communities.gov.uk/housing/buyingselling/homeinformation/homeinfopackquestions/

The Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT) must adopt more innovative ways of identifying those households most at risk of fuel poverty, insists Northgate Public Services today.

• partnership working between local authorities and utility companies - to identify the most vulnerable households
• sharing of Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) data to identify the most fuel inefficient households. Registered Social Landlords (RSLs), for example, hold good quality data which could help to target the most vulnerable
• embedding behaviour change measures within the CERT process.- essential if sustainable savings are to be achieved and people are to be permanently lifted out of fuel poverty.

Northgate announce online payment for EPCs

More power and resources should be handed to local authorities in order to combat climate change and reduce fuel poverty in our local communities asserts Northgate Public Services today.

Responding to the Welsh Assembly Government’s consultation on fuel poverty strategy, Northgate argues that the issue of climate change is so severe that a statutory role for local authorities in addressing energy efficiency is now essential. The organisation points out that local authorities are well placed to take into account specific issues of social equity and economic deprivation which are essential to combating fuel poverty at a local level. Northgate also calls upon the Assembly Government, the UK Government and local authorities to work together to encourage the take-up of energy advice and benefits to those affected by fuel poverty.

In its response, Northgate also outlines a number of other recommendations, including:
• that services, such as health and education, should work together in order to provide a holistic approach to combating fuel poverty;
• that any reporting system take in to account variables in order to ensure progress can be accurately measured; 
• that information is readily available to citizens, and provided where necessary by frontline workers.

Russell Osborne, Managing Director of Citizen Solutions for Northgate Public Services, said today: “We welcome the Welsh Assembly Government’s commitment to eradicating fuel poverty in Wales. Given the economic climate, fuel poverty is an issue which is affecting more and more people. But the severity of the issue means that now is the time to take drastic action. By giving local authorities more powers to promote energy efficiency, communities will benefit from localised, specialised advice that meets their needs. Local authorities are better placed to co-ordinate collaborative action from a range of services that seeks to help those most at risk from fuel poverty.”

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For more information
Fellows’ Associates
Kathy Sutton                       +44(0)20 7324 6221; +44(0)7966 890401
Konstantinos Makrygiannis  +44(0)20 7324 6222; +44(0)7949 421356

In a response to the Department of Communities and Local Government consultation on the government’s response to the recast of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, Northgate calls for the public sector to provide an exemplar to the private sector by playing a leading role in improving the energy efficiency of its building stock.

To read the full response click here.

For more information
Fellows’ Associates
Kathy Sutton    +44 (0)20 7395 1516; +44 (0)7966 890401

In a response to the consultation on Proposed Changes to Part L and Part F of the Building Regulations, Northgate calls upon the government to create a clear route map which would allow stakeholders to see the inter-connectedness of the range of energy efficiency initiatives currently available. It also suggests that to achieve targets, clear communications, training, development and support must be provided.

To see thef full response click here

For more information
Fellows' Associates
Kathy Sutton           +44 (0) 07966 890401; +44 (0) 20 7395 1516

In a brief response to the CLG technical consultation on the Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP), the government’s methodological tool for measuring the energy efficiency of dwellings, Northgate welcomes the amendments to SAP which will help to make the next version a more efficient and effective tool for measuring energy efficiency. In the long term it argues that making SAP ratings regionally dependent would help to improve decision making and have more relevance to the property.

To see the full response click here

For more information
Fellows' Associates
Kathy Sutton              +44(0)20 7395 1516; +44(0)77966 890401