AHIPP has also said the government must rethink its assertion that it will promote the take up of the HCR “on a market-led basis”.
AHIPP stated the only way that HCRs would survive was if the department involved, the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG), made it apparent that HCRs would be mandatory after the dry run has proved their worth.
The assocation also queried who is to pay for the dry run and who will be officially responsible, as it would stretch credibility to the limit to expect the industry to fully fund the roll out. Yvette Copper, Housing Minister, indicated that “mandatory introduction of HCRs remains on the table” and said it would review with key stakeholders what support is needed to ensure sufficient numbers of Home Inspectors are in place.
The government will look at “pump-priming and other incentives” to ensure an effective dry run takes place. AHIPP will be advising the government of the funding that the industry will require for a meaningful take up of HCRs to take place.
Mike Ockenden, director-general of AHIPP, said: “There will be a need for Home Inspectors to carry out the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) but Ms Cooper is in danger of scaring many of them away from their training if she does not immediately reiterate the need to make the HCR mandatory after further testing.
“We accept that the dry run needs to be transparent and indeed will be conducting our own independent roll out of HIPs later this year. If government provides the support industry needs, the HCR will be an integral part of our roll out. We are convinced of the worth of HCRs to consumers so the Government must be utterly unequivocal on this point and undertake to make HCRs mandatory when this has been proven.”
