Mover

Getting your home in shape for selling

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Contents
sHIP shape
everything you need to know about Home Information Packs

energy performance certificates

the key to a quick sale

how green is my home?

Energy Performance Certificates the lowdown on what every homeowner needs

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are you losing it?

insulation - keeps the heat in, saves you money

helping hand

HIP to it!
home information packs explained

free, impartial advice from your local Energy Saving Trust advice centre

For free independent and local energy saving advice call

0800 512 012

Mover
For free, impartial advice about saving energy in your home and reducing fuel bills, call free on

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Homebuyers do have a Green Agenda!

Intro
Rightmove is pleased to support the Energy Saving Trust to bring you this guide looking into the Energy Performance Certificate, which clearly demonstrates just how energy efficient your property really is. Energy efficiency is high on the agenda for home movers, with many demanding a potential new home contains features such as high efficiency condensing boilers and loft and cavity wall insulation.

Indeed from the 10 September 2007, Home Information Packs will be required to be commissioned on all 3 bed-roomed properties marketed. With this in mind, those thinking of putting their homes on the market might want to read this guide; the first step to adding value to Miles Shipside Rightmove Commercial Director your home starts here!

0800 512 012

SHIP
getting your house in order makes selling so much simpler

Home Information Packs

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shape

Selling a home can be stressful and prone to delays and failure under the current system. Around one in four property transactions break down before contracts are exchanged, often due to information coming to light after a formal offer has been made. The Governments new Home Information Packs, compulsory

for anyone marketing a home for sale in England and Wales is being phased in. It will allow this essential information to be made available up front reducing this costly inefficiency and making selling simpler. This guide will help you if you are planning to sell your home, buying or moving into a property you have just bought.

Whats in the pack?

COMPULSORY:
Evidence of title Standard searches (local authority enquiries,
drainage and water search) Energy Performance Certificate Commonhold information, where appropriate Leasehold information, where appropriate New Homes Warranty, where appropriate Report on a home that is still under construction

VOLUNTARY:
Home Condition Report Guarantees and warranties Other searches
Of the compulsory elements in the pack, the Energy Performance Certificate is especially significant. We explain why on the following pages. Theres more information about the packs on page 11.

To find out more on saving energy in your home, call free on

0800 512 012

Green
for go
t d ou on n i f To ll free e ca mor

What the Energy Performance Certificate tells the seller - and the buyer

The compulsory new certificate that will speed up buying and selling

Energy Performance Certificates are energy ratings from A to G for homes, similar to those which already exist on consumer products like fridges, dishwashers, tumble-dryers and lighting. The Certificate not only outlines the costs of heating, hot water and lighting in homes, but also gives advice on how to cut these costs and reduce climate-changing emissions.

Energy efficiency rating

Indicates overall efficiency rating of a home. The higher the rating, the more energy efficient it is. It also indicates the potential for improvement.

Environmental (CO2) impact rating

Indicates your homes impact on the environment in terms of carbon dioxide emissions. The higher the rating, the more energy efficient it is. Also indicates the potential for improvement. The certificate assesses the key elements that have an impact on the homes performance rating. It provides an estimate of current energy use and current cost of providing lighting, heating and hot water together with the potential improvements that should be considered. Further information is given on specific recommended measures, their costs and the typical energy and cash savings that can be made. It also outlines further measures that could deliver even higher standards of energy efficiency. log onto www.energysavingtrust.org.uk to view a sample of the certificate This detailed information enables the potential purchaser to make a comparison between one property and another.
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simple
Small measures that make a big difference
Two thirds of homes dont have enough loft insulation does yours? Lofts account for over 25% of the heat loss in an uninsulated home. Without enough insulation you could be adding as much as a third to your heating bill. Topping up loft insulation gives savings in fuel bills of around 50 to 60 per year. Savings are even greater if there is no insulation to start with. s to Most homes have some loft Call u ere are h es insulation but less than ut if t find o ted schem n a u the recommended disco r local are you n i 10.5 inches (270mm).
Professional installation is relatively quick and inexpensive for costs in your area call the Energy Saving Trust Advice Centre free on:
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mind the gap...

Most homes built after the 1920s have external walls with a small cavity between them. Walls account for over 30% of heat loss in an uninsulated home. Not having cavity wall insulation could add over a third to your heating bill. This means that having your unfilled cavity walls insulated could save you 130-160 a year. Cavity wall insulation is relatively inexpensive, and it takes about half a day to install. Insulating lofts and cavity walls is relatively inexpensive and simple to do. Insulation could have a big impact on your energy performance rating and reduce the effect of your carbon dioxide emissions on climate change. You might consider these measures before your home is inspected for its Energy Performance Certificate.

Top Tips
Turning your thermostat down by 1 degree when you are too warm could cut your heating bill by up to 10% and save you around 40 per year. Always turn the lights off when you leave a room. Dont leave appliances on standby and remember not to leave appliances on charge unnecessarily. Only boil as much water as you need (but remember to cover the element if you are using an electric kettle). Use energy saving light bulbs. They last up to 12 times longer than ordinary bulbs and could save you up to 100 over the lifetime of the bulb. If you're not filling up the washing machine, tumble dryer or dishwasher, use the half-load or economy programme. A dripping hot water tap in one week wastes enough hot water to fill half a bath -so fix leaking taps and make sure they're fully turned off!
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savings
0800 512 012

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Heating controls
By upgrading heating controls you will improve the efficiency of any central heating system and cut your energy wastage and costs by up to 17%. Fit the right heating controls as well as a condensing boiler and you could bump the savings up to 40%.

Hot water tank insulation

A tenner or so well spent if youve got an older hot water tank without insulation, buy a lagging jacket, fit it yourself and reduce heat loss by a cool 75%!

Energy Saving Appliances

Chances are that when you move into your new home youll need to buy new appliances. Buying an appliance which carries the Energy Saving Recommended label could save up to 45 a year in electricity costs.

Helping hand
Energy Saving Trust advice centres offer free, expert, impartial advice. Funded by government, your local Energy Saving Trust advice centre helps people in your community to save energy and boost their homes energy performance rating.
Web: www.energysavingtrust.org.uk Call free on:

Q Do buyers really care

how energy efficient my home is?

the entire process, make it more transparent and reduce the risk of transactions breaking down. Your overall costs for the transaction could end up being lower than the traditional process.

A Yes. Our research

shows that buyers are willing to pay up to 10,000 more for an environmentally friendly house and that 70% consider energy efficiency is important when buying a home.

Q Who will carry out the

inspection for my Energy Performance Certificate

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appliances.
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0800 512 012

A Inspection will be
carried out by assessors who are fully trained and qualified to Government recognised national standards. Many assessors are also qualified to produce a an optional document in the pack.

We can help you with:

A free home energy check and personalised
report showing measures that you could take before your Energy Performance Certificate inspection.

Q Who can arrange my

Home Information Pack will it cost me more?

For free, impartial advice about saving energy in your home and reducing fuel bills, call free on

0800 512 012

A A good starting point

would be your estate agent or solicitor. Much has been written about the likely cost. Remember that the objective of the packs is to simplify and accelerate

Details of the latest grants and offers for

installing energy saving measures.

Information on the most energy efficient appliances and heating systems. Advice on Energy Saving Recommended

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Home Condition Report,

Mover
Energy Saving Trust, 21 Dartmouth Street, London SW1H 9BP, Tel 0800 512 012, www.energysavingtrust.org.uk EE107 Energy Saving Trust August 2007 E&OE.

See www.homeinformationpacks.gov.uk for more details