Extensive research results in a new home information pack (HIP) service for Chiswick homeowners and landlords.
Currently all sales properties require an energy performance certificate (EPC) to be included in the HIP prior to marketing. From 1st October, new Government legislation demands that all landlords also provide an EPC. Once obtained the EPC will be valid for ten years.
The EPC must be obtained from an accredited Energy Assessor but research conducted by Oliver Finn reveals that accreditation does not guarantee excellence as Christian Harper explains: “Unlike our sales and lettings, we aren’t the cheapest for HIPs. We have researched long and hard to find an accredited partner company that is as focussed as we are on quality.
“This market research has revealed that many companies purely compete on price and cannot offer the redress or customer service we require. Many have a ‘pile ‘em high and sell ‘em cheap’ business plan, which is only sustainable when combined with slim margins and bulk transactions”, says Harper.
Left high and dry
With so many gloomy predictions about the immediate future of the property market not all the companies currently offering HIPs will survive. This will inevitably lead to homeowners and landlords being left without redress when problems arise during the sale or tenancy.
Due to a lack of qualified energy examiners, the Government introduced a ‘fast-track’ energy inspector course. This has led to a lowering of the entry barrier resulting in inadequately trained assessors explains Harper: “Some assessors have not completed an eNVQ (energy National Vocational Qualification). This has lowered the financial commitment, making it more attractive to individuals and leading to more firms appointing non-professionals to do the work.
“We have heard of several instances of rude, scruffy and impolite assessors turning up at a property and in some cases belongings mysteriously disappearing. It is imperative that homeowners are vigilant and ensure anyone with access to their property has undergone a recent criminal record check.”
Why use Oliver Finn HIPs?
• Experienced professionals - unlike some HIP providers, only experts known to us will assess the property.
• Highly trained - all Oliver Finn assessors are polite, presentable and properly trained.
• No hidden extra’s - an all-inclusive price is all you pay. As with Oliver Finn sales and lettings, there are no hidden extra’s and no additional VAT.
• Quality and accuracy - this service is available to all homeowners and landlords with or without Oliver Finn being instructed to sell or let the property.
• Unrivalled local knowledge - we’ve all had our fill of anonymous call centres.
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