Energy assessors and inspectors will be ready, says AHIPP

A survey of 10 training and assessment centres for Home Inspectors and Domestic Energy Assessors (DEAs) shows there will be in excess of 3,500 trained and accredited operatives by 1 June, says the Association of Home Information Pack Providers (AHIPP).

AHIPP said opponents of HIPs have erroneously reported that up to 7,500 energy assessors will be needed for 1 June and that there will be a shortfall of thousands.

This figure became redundant on 18 July last year when Home Condition Reports (HCRs) were made voluntary, yet has been used erroneously and irresponsibly by some parties on a number of occasions recently, said AHIPP.

It said around 2,500 full time assessors will be needed by June.

Mike Ockenden, director-general of AHIPP, said: “The training and assessment centres surveyed have told us that there will be at least 1,130 Home Inspectors and over 2,400 DEAs ready to undertake inspections for June.

“The AHIPP survey did not include statistics from ‘Safe As’ the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) training and assessment centre which can be expected to significantly supplement these numbers.

“In fact with the number of DEAs qualifying the government should seriously consider bringing forward the implementation of Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) for rented properties and social housing."

He added: Furthermore the cost of a pack has frequently been mis-reported as being up to £1,000 but again this is an erroneous figure, designed to galvanise opposition to the packs. We cannot find a single provider quoting this amount.

"The actual figure will be between £300 - £400, inclusive of the cost of an EPC, in some cases regardless of whether the title is registered or unregistered."