Consequently, renewal certificates are issued on time, with the minimum of fuss. 

“It is so easy for an organisation to miss the date for the renewal of their DEC certificates, and fall foul of the Regulations. Relying on Severn Surveyors to provide timely prompts and the latest guidance is both valuable and comforting. It’s an ideal solution for us”.  

Severn Surveyors can be contacted by telephone ( 01275 330027 ), or email epc@severnsurveyors.co.uk                 www.severnsurveyors.co.uk

 The Bristol based energy report specialists provide level 4 accredited energy surveyors to undertake the necessary SBEM modelling in support of the building design phase of the project. 

 In an effort to achieve BREEAM Excellent Status for the school building project, SBEM modelling techniques were used to assess design proposals for the proposed extension and refurbishment of Laycock Primary School, Islington. Working with the Client, Cambridge Education @ Islington, PROJECT 5 ARCHITECTURE LLP, and EngDesign Ltd, Severn Surveyors developed a number of SBEM models to report on the energy efficiency of the design team’s proposals. The outcome of the modelling directly influenced the design decisions relating to the source of heating, and targeted improvements to the thermal performance of the building fabric.

 The use of the BREEAM assessment method to assess sustainable building design proposals is becoming increasingly popular with planning authorities, particularly throughout the London area. The BREEAM approach is generally accepted as the de facto measure used to describe a building’s environmental performance, and is expected to become widely adopted throughout other UK Counties.

 ¹Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) addresses wide-ranging environmental and sustainability issues and enables developers and designers to prove the environmental credentials of their buildings to planners and clients. BREEAM claims to set the standard for best practice in sustainable design and provide the measure used to describe a building’s environmental performance.

 For more information Severn Surveyors can be contacted by email: epc@severnsurveyors.co.uk

Other related information is available from their Website: www.severnsurveyors.co.uk

In all fourteen qualifying buildings were surveyed over a four day period during the 2009 autumn half-term week, to avoid any disruption of the student’s education during term time.

For further information Severn Surveyors, energy report specialists, can be contacted by email: epc@severnsurveyors.co.uk

Other related information is available from their Website: www.severnsurveyors.co.uk

‘Which’ and the Council of Mortgage Lenders strongly recommend an independent property survey before committing to a purchase.

The Surveyors and Valuers Accreditationorganisation (SAVA) introduced the Home Condition Survey, designed with homebuyers in mind, to provide a clear and concise report on the condition of a domestic property; thus allowing the home buyer to make an informed decision. It  is quick and easy to commision and good value for money.

The Home Condition Survey delivers a thorough report, providing a  plain English, jargon free assessment of the conditionof the property in question. it uses a simple 1,2,3 rating guide on all major aspects of the property.

The benefits are:

Reassurance and complete piece of mind.

Swiftness and simplicity of the whole process.

The ability to understand the condition of the property through the comprehensive document.

Cost effectiveness and direct contact with the surveyor.

All homes must have a Home Information Pack (HIP) in place before it can be marketed for sale. This replaces the current provision which enabled home sellers to market their property before the HIP was complete.

No adverts, sales boards or flyers advertising the sale of the property will be allowed until the HIP is available for inspection by the potential viewer; those who do not comply could be fined £200.

The legislation also applies to New Build properties whether 2002 or 2006 building regulations apply.

2. Property Information Questionnaire

The Property Information Questionnaire or PIQ is a series of questions that must be completed by the seller. The PIQ details pre sale information about the property, including council tax band, parking facilities, utilities and structural alterations.

3. Changes to Insurance Provisions for Local Authority Searches

New pricing structure across local Authorities with regard to searches will also come into effect.

The pricing will be based on the council’s individual fees which have not yet been published by the majority of local authorities in the UK.

Home Information Packs – Content.

* Home Information Pack Index

* Energy Performance Certificate

* Sale Statement

* Evidence of Title (For HMLR registered properties)

* Search of Index Map (For unregistered properties)

* Property Information Questionnaire

On the release of the Government review of regulation and redress in the UK housing market, operations manager of the Association of Residential Lettings Agents (ARLA), Ian Potter, comments:

“We fully support Professor Jones’ recommendations, which would see residential letting agents regulated and subject to the Consumers Estate Agents and Redress Act. Currently, regulation in the sector is voluntary, which is why I would urge both tenants and landlords to look for ARLA accredited agents, as they are subject to our strict codes of conduct.

“Whilst ARLA welcomes this report, it is only the beginning of the debate. Redress is somewhat like the cart before the horse in that it negatively regulates and tackles the misdemeanour once it has occurred. Alongside this we would like to see regulation that prevents it in the first place. We will be working closely with the CLG in the coming months towards an ultimate goal of raising standards across the residential lettings industry; we hope that this might serve as one element of raising consumer confidence in the property market when it is at such an obvious low. The current situation, where anyone can operate as a residential lettings agent, is clearly inappropriate and is doing nothing to inspire faith in the market.”

About ARLA

The Association of Residential Lettings Agents (ARLA) was formed in 1981 as the professional and regulatory body for letting agents in the UK. It was recognised that the requirements of the residential lettings market were so detailed and specific that a separate organisation was required to promote standards in this important and growing sector of the property market.

ARLA has 3,500 member offices throughout the UK including large multi-branch national companies as well as the smaller single office practices. Membership is achieved only by agents who demonstrate that they have a thorough knowledge of their profession and that they conduct their business according to current best management practice.

All members are required to have professional indemnity insurance cover. In addition they are covered by a bonding scheme which provides financial protection for client monies which have been misappropriated.

ARLA members are governed by the Code of Practice providing a framework of ethical and professional standards at a level far higher than the law demands. The Association runs a series of meetings, training courses and seminars at local and national levels to ensure that members are kept fully up to date with the latest best practice.

Examinations are held regularly and membership rules require all member offices to have professionally qualified staff by the year 2000. Members’ accounts are required to be audited annually ensuring that they conform to stringent accounting practice.

Bristol based Energy Report Specialists Severn Surveyors is headed up by Mike and Alyson Matthews.

A family run company, Severn Surveyors has quickly become the leading expert in energy assessment in Bristol and the surrounding area.

The company focuses on staying abreast of legislative changes and the most recent qualifications in the commercial and domestic assessment fields.

With engineering and business backgrounds in both the public and private sectors, the company is flexible, resourceful and responsive.

Severn Surveyors prides itself on offering the very best customer service and value for money.

Severn Surveyors are specialists in providing energy reports and assessments for commercial, public and domestic properties, including…

- Energy Performance Certificates (EPC)
- Display Energy Certificates (DEC)
- Home Information Packs (HIPs)
- Home Buyers’ Surveys (Home Condition Surveys)
- Domestic Energy Assessments

We work a great deal in the following areas…

- Retail park outlets
- Industrial warehouses
- Office blocks
- Shopping centres
- Supermarkets
- Schools and universities
- Libraries, council offices and other public and civic buildings
- Hotels and guesthouses
- Pubs and restaurants

www.severnsurveyors.co.uk