Halloween is with us and at a time when the ghost of uncertainty within the political spectrum over the future of the industry within which Home Information Pack providers, estate agents, solicitors, domestic energy assessors and home inspectors operate, has returned to haunt us again, it’s a shame, and I would add, a disgrace, that the 13,000 energy assessors who were encouraged by Government to spend money on training and becoming entrepreneurs, do not appear to have a single and effective voice.
There are of course organisations out there that purport to be fully representative of these professionals, but relying on feedback received from DEAs around the Country, it seems these bodies only represent a very small proportion of the 13,000.
I also question whether these organisations are actually tuned in with the real day to day issues facing the energy assessor. I have not for example seen any evidence of effective lobbying on the Conservatives’ stated policy on home information packs.
The Conservatives have vowed to ‘scrap’ HIPs, but to keep the energy performance certificate. Some energy assessors have taken this as a signal not to panic. They seem to believe that even without the HIP there will still be a need for the EPC and business will continue as normal. Not so.
The Conservatives have yet to give detail of their intention. They have in their Green Paper and Home Buying Review stated that it will be kept but the point of delivery may be pushed back from the point of marketing to exchange of contracts. Apart from this very little else has been said.
So where do the dangers lie? To begin with if the EPC is pushed back there could be major problems with compliance, similar to those seen in the rental and commercial sector. We know that the EPC’s delivery in the HIP has at the very least brought about a high level of compliance. Added to this is the risk of the Conservatives placing responsibility for the delivery of the EPC with the energy retailers. It is already known that British Gas is on a recruitment drive.
The possible recasting of the Energy Performance Directive may offer some comfort here (see my previous article on this: bit.ly/16IHTx) as if the Directive is implemented as proposed and then enacted by Government, it would be very difficult for a new Government to move the delivery point from the front to a later stage.
There needs to be pressure brought on Government however, to make sure that the Directive if implemented, is brought in to law quickly, and for this to happen before the next election.
It must also be remembered that a large number of the 13,000 energy assessors also wear the hat of a home information pack provider. Indeed a number of their businesses rely heavily on income from the sale of HIPs to survive. How many of these businesses will still, I question, be around if the Conservatives go ahead (as they will clearly do) and ‘scrap’ HIPs?
AHIPP is pressing for the introduction of a ready to exchange solution that seems to have support from other areas of the property industry. AHIPP represents pack providers, and although by implication this includes the interests of energy assessors, there still remains in my view a need for the DEAs/HIs to be independently represented. Their interests do not always fit squarely with those of pack providers and as mentioned there are a number of energy assessors who do not facilitate HIPs.
If energy assessors wish to be heard in the discussions that will clearly take place on how the home buying and selling process could be reformed on the back of the ‘ ready to exchange’ process then they clearly need a trade association of their own and for this to be established quickly.
This association to succeed needs to be free of commercial interest based on low subscriptions and must be supported by the majority of the 13,000 assessors out there.
Other areas of concern/interest requiring urgent attention and representation include:
• Relationship with accreditation agencies – membership fees, lodgement fees, IT system constraints. Should the nine accreditation agencies be reduced to say, two?
• Removal in certain cases of the restriction to ‘cross sell’
• Standardised fees for work
• Restrictions on further intake – the sector is already oversubscribed by 5
• Additional roles for energy assessors – what is happening with the ‘home energy advisor’ idea?
• Improvement of compliance within the rental sector
I have in the past made contribution to Forums run by Domestic Energy Assessors and Home Inspectors and is clear from this experience that these topics remain ‘hot’ and attract lively debate from assessors who are passionate about their industry. This energy is clearly needed to channelled and focused on bringing about the establishment of a fully representative trade association and let us hope that this can be established sooner rather than later.
I do invite the views of energy assessors on this subject.
David,
ReplyDeleteWhy I do share your views then is not the case that why have the current two main organisations, IHI and IDEA, have not gained the support of the 13000 energy assessors. Also a more recent organisation, Pro DEA, seems to have failed at gaining the interest of fellow energy assessors even though it is a not-for-profit organisation run by energy assessors.
I feel the damage has been done by the people who have created the industry, Labour Government, they have severely knocked the confidence of energy assessors and with the proof of more than one organisation not being able to persuade government decision then how would another org, who may or may not gain more members, be able to sway the minds of CLG.
A classic example was the HEA role, at DEA forums held by the CLG the organisations and energy assessors on the ground repeatedly requested that the EPC was involved in the role. However CLG decided that was not to be and instead offers a purely academic qualification for people to offer advice and help implement energy saving measures.
I agree there is a need for such an organisation but instead of telling us what is needed why not inform us all how such an organisation can be created that all 13000 energy assessors WOULD get involved.
Good post, David.
ReplyDeleteThere's been a bit of good news on the representation front: the Energy Institute has agreed to accept energy assessors into their fold.
I personally think this has got to be the most credible and appropriate body to join forces with. It is nearly 14,000 members-strong, has a solid reputation (with Royal Charter) and a high-profile Presidency and committee... and it's only £57/yr!