Departments of disinformation
With so much bad press lately about the HIP and EPC, it is difficult to get across to people all the benefits that have come from this with so much negativity.
There are so many tactics used in marketing these days it is easy to become removed and un-responsive to it which increases the tactics used. This is very close to downright lying. A famous saying is that there are three types of lies: Lies, damned lies, and statistics.
The introduction of the HIP has improved the speed of making a house sale; it cannot slow down house sales. The HIP consists of documents, obtained before a house sale; no one has explained how the introduction has slowed the process down. It simply is not true.
A HIP is not more expensive. In fact, the cost is lower, which is a good thing. No one has explained how it is more expensive. The only time that it can be more expensive is with the wrong information in the first place; the simple answer to this is to make sure you use qualified experienced suppliers.
Changes in the HIP regulations will improve the home sale process. Too many companies have taken advantage of the situation in trying to turn a quick profit rather than providing a good, quality service. As mentioned above, with the correct suppliers, no problems occur. Incorrect HIPs have gone against the good work of quality conscious companies creating a bad image.
Although unfortunate, delays happen when producing the full HIP. Changes in regulations and a good side to too much competition, these delays will become minor. You are still entitled to obtain your own HIP, although this method may be fraught with more danger and cost than is worth it. The EPC is the only part issued that must be performed by a qualified energy assessor.
An EPC is not a government tax; it is a response to EU requirements. The money obtained through the introduction of the EPC regulations is through V.A.T. and possibly lodgement fees.
A HIP is not a government tax; it is response to estate agents and those involved in the property market to speed up the transactions in home sales. Those that are moaning most are using the cuckoo principle. Local councils may see this as an opportunity to make a bit of extra income, but at the end of the day, this can only go back into the pockets of local residents.
Officially, sanctioned HIPs and EPCs are an excuse used by some members of the property profession to add their cut to the process. The biggest critic is making the most money from them by selling their training to people who have no chance of getting a return on their investment. It is rumoured that a few government employees have left because of this type of conduct.
Having tried very hard to keep these blogs positive, enough is enough. There are too many companies trying to get rich from others. By providing a good honest service to our clients, we can sleep at night with a clear conscience. Are you getting promises from so-called service providers? Who cannot even be bothered to find out how to pronounce the company name? Or find out what you do? Contact us, and we will talk to you, not wait until an operator is available to read from a script.
Rant over!
