Too many energy assessors leads to repossessions, says National Homebuyers

Too many people are qualifying as energy assessors and now many are running into financial difficulty because there is no work for them to do.

[UKPRwire, Mon Nov 26 2007] The government encouraged people to become energy assessors as part of its plans to introduce Home information packs (Hips) to the housing market.

However, after an initial launch in August for properties with four or more bedrooms, and an expansion to three-bed properties in September, the rollout has stopped.

This is good news for home-sellers with smaller properties, as they do not have to pay around £300 for a Hip, but it is bad news for the 5,000 accredited assessors.

According to a report on BBC Two's 'Working Lunch' programme, 3,000 energy assessors are needed but 5,000 have qualified and that figure is set to rise to 10,000.

The report claims that many people are now getting into financial difficulty and some have even had their homes repossessed because they cannot keep up with mortgage payments.

Commenting on the report, David Thompson from the Institute of Domestic Energy Assessors said: "I think for the vast majority of people across the country the situation now is verging on critical.

"The amount of work that is available for individuals, domestic energy assessors or home inspectors, is negligible.

"Irrespective of the issues that are going on in the market, it's quite clear, and I'm sure the government recognise this, that there are too many people who are qualified to become energy assessors in the home and home inspectors compared to our government statistics as to what they need," he added.

Fast property sale expert Julian King adds, "The introduction of Hips has been ill planned. The full effect of the introduction of the legislation is yet to be felt.

"More information available to the buyer is good news, but it is also used as a stick to beat vendors over the head with.

"National Homebuyers do not require a Hips pack in place for vendors who need a quick sale".

Mr King is a director of National Homebuyers, the UK's leading fast property purchase firm. The Sussex-based busines guarantees to make an offer to purchase any property in the UK for vendors who need a quick cash house sale.

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