SI 2008 No 572 - 'The Home Information Pack (Amendment) Regulations 2008' require new homes to have a sustainability certificate at third place in the HIP, immediately after the Index and EPC. From 6 April 2009, when the PIQ is added to the pack, the PIQ will be in second place and the EPC is pushed into thrid place with the sustainability certificate further down the order.
Sustainability relates to the extent to which the materials, fittings, services and design meet sustainable design principles.
Sustainable design principles cover health and safety for people in and around the property; efficient management of the property; energy efficiency; efficient use of water; flood risk; efficient waste management; protection and enhancement of the environment and the prevention or detection of crime.
The sustainability certificate will require the property to be assessed after construction has been completed, indicate the rating give to the property and give an explanation of the rating with a breakdown between the various elements that comprise the overall rating.The overall rating is 1 to 6 stars with 6 being the highest.
Properties marketed before construction is completed will require an interim sustainability certificate
A qualified Code Assessor must prepare these certificates.
If no assessment takes place the property will be given a nil-rated certificate that can be prepared by anyone and must also be included in the HIP.
If a property that has an interim sustainability certificate is completed before it is sold then the interim certificate must be updated with a full certificate if it has been further assessed or a nil rated certificate if not.
A nil-rated certificate can be replaced at any time by a sustainability certificate following an assessment or interim sustainability certificate.
Transitional provisions apply to properties where, before 1 May 2008, the local authority has received notices or plans under the Building Regulations 2000 (12(2A)(a) and (b)) and section 47 (1)(a) of the Building Act 1984.
